Substituted oxotremorine derivatives and pharmaceutical use thereof

ABSTRACT

This disclosure describes novel substituted oxotremorine derivatives of formula I having nitrogen, oxygen or sulfur groups and the prodrug forms of these derivatives. The compounds have cholinergic activity. Also disclosed are methods for treating diseases of the central nervous system in mammals employing the compounds, pharmaceutical preparations containing the compounds and the processes for the production of the compounds.    &lt;IMAGE&gt;  FORMULA I

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is related to applicant's co-pending application Ser. No. 570,950, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,889,518 which is a division of Ser. No. 481,924, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,952,600 which is a division of Ser. No. 300,447, now U. S. Pat. No. 4,937,235.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

The invention relates to compounds, pharmaceutical compositions and to the use of the compounds for the manufacture of pharmaceuticals.

A chronic deficiency in central cholinergic function has been implicated in a variety of neurologic and psychiatric disorders, including senile dementia of the Alzheimer's type (SDAT), tardive dyskinesia, Pick's disease and Huntington's chorea. Postmortem neurochemical investigations of patients with SDAT have demonstrated a reduction in presynaptic markers for acetylcholine utilizing neurons in the hippocampus and the cerebral cortex [P. Davies and A. J. R. Maloney, Lancet, 1976, 1403, (1976); E. K. Perry, R. H. Perry, G. Blessed, B. E. Tomlinson, J. Neurol. Sci., 34, 247, (1976)]. The basis for the cholinergic abnormality is unclear, but evidence suggests that the cholingergic neurons in the nucleus basalis of Meynert may selectively degenerate in SDAT [J. T. Coyle, D. J. Price, M. R. DeLong, Science, 219, 1184, (1983)]. If this degeneration plays a role in behavior symptoms of the disease, then a possible treatment strategy would be to compensate for the loss of cholinergic output to the cortex and hippocampus.

In an aged monkey animal model, designed to mimic the symptoms of SDAT, the direct muscarinic agonists arecoline [R. T. Bartus, R. L. Dean, B. Beer, Neurobiology of Aging, 1, 145, (1980)] and oxotremorine [R. T. Bartus, R. L. Dean, B. Beer, Psychopharmacology Bulletin, 19, 168, (1983)] produced significant improvement in performance. These results in aged monkeys were corroborated in SDAT patients with arecoline which produced a more consistent improvement when compared to the anticholinergic inhibitor physostigmine [J. E. Christie, A. Shering, J. Ferguson, A. M. Glen, British Journal of Psychiatry, 138, 46, (1981)].

These animal behavioral and clinical results have instigated significant efforts in a search for a muscarinic agonist which will selectively compensate for the loss of cholinergic input in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex. However, the search must be refined to seek agonists which will not affect significantly the remaining body cholinergic functions. The recent disclosure that muscarinic receptors are not all the same but exist as a heterogeneous population of receptors substantiates the possibility for the discovery of a selective muscarinic agonist [T. I. Bonner, N. J. Buckley, A. C. Young, M. R. Brann, Science, 237, 527, (1987)].

The methodical methylation of the muscarinic agonist oxotremorine and its derivatives has been studied in the search for a selective muscarinic agonist [B. Ringdahl, J. Med. Chem. 31, 683, (1988); B. Ringdahl, "Structural Determinants of Muscarinic Agonist Activity" The Muscarinic Receptors, J. H. Brown Ed., The Humana Press, Clifton, N.J., 1989, 151]. The methodical substitution of a methyl group onto oxotremorine can probe the steric non-polar environment of the muscarinic agonist for its neurotransmitter-receptor-complex.

The present invention describes the preparation of oxotremorine derivatives having polar substituted oxygen and substituted sulfur groups. This series of compounds goes beyond the initial study by Ringdall. In addition to exploring the steric environment of the muscarinic agonist for its neurotransmitter complex, the compounds of the present invention probe possible auxiliary polar interactions with one of the muscarinic receptors.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention is concerned with new compounds of formula I which have cholinergic activity; with methods of treating diseases of the central nervous system in mammals employing these new compounds; with pharmaceutical preparations containing these compounds; and with processes for the production of these compounds. ##STR2##

In formula I, R₁ and R₂ are (C₁ -C₆)alkyl or R₁ is (C₁ -C₆)alkyl and R₂ is --(CH₂)_(n) --R₁₇ where n=2-6 and R₁₇ is selected from hydroxy, (C₁ -C₁₀)acyloxy, trialkylsilyloxy or R₁ and R₂ taken together with their associated N(itrogen) are selected from the group consisting of aziridine, azetidine, pyrrolidine, imidazole, piperidine or moieties of the formula: ##STR3## where R₇ and R₈ are independently selected from (C₁ -C₁₀)acyloxy, (C₁ -C₆)alkoxy, aroyloxy, substituted aroyloxy, hydroxy, thio, (C₁ -C₆)alkythio, (C₁ -C₆)alkyldithio, (C₁ -C₆)acylthio, trialkylsilyloxy or hydrogen; R₉ and R₁₀ are hydrogen, hydroxymethyl trialkylsilyloxymethyl, or halomethyl, (wherein halo is chloro, bromo, or iodo) with the proviso that only one of R₇, R₈, R₉ and R₁₀ can be one of the above disclosed substituents other than hydrogen; R₃ and R₄ are independently selected from hydrogen, amino, azido, (C₁ -C₆)alkyl, (C₁ -C₁₀)acyloxy, (C₁ -C₁₀)alkoxycarbonyl, (C₁ -C₁₀)alkylaminocarbonyloxy, (C₁ -C₁₀)dialkylaminocarbonyloxy, (C₁ -C₆)alkoxy, aroyloxy, substituted aroyloxy, hydroxy, thio, (C₁ -C₆)alkythio, (C₁ -C₆)alkyldithio, or (C₁ -C₆)acylthio with the proviso that one of R₃ or R₄ is hydrogen or (C₁ -C₆)alkyl; R.sub. 5 and R₆ are independently selected from hydrogen, amino, azido, (C₁ -C₁₀)acyloxy, (C₁ -C₁₀)alkoxy-carbonyloxy, (C₁ -C₁₀)alkylaminocarbonyloxy, (C₁ -C₁₀)dialkylaminocarbonyloxy, (C₁ -C₆)alkoxy, aroyloxy, (C₁ -C₆)alkyldithio, substituted aroyloxy, hydroxy, thio, (C₁ -C₆)alkylthio, (C₁ -C₆)alkyldithio or (C₁ -C₁₀)acylthio with the proviso that when R₃ and R₄ are other than hydrogen, R₅ and R₆ are hydrogen.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The novel compounds of the present invention may be readily prepared in accordance with one or more of the following reaction schemes wherein R₁ ' and R₂ ' are (C₁ -C₆) alkyl or R₁ ' is (C₁ -C₆)alkyl and R₂ ' is --(CH₂)_(n) --R₁₇ where n=2-6 and R₁₇ is selected from hydroxy, (C₁ -C₁₀)acyloxy or trialkylsilyloxy or R₁ ' and R₂ ' taken together with their associated N(itrogen) are selected from the group consisting of pyrrolidine, piperidine or moieties of the formula: ##STR4## where R₇ and R₈ are independently selected from (C₁ -C₁₀)acyloxy, (C₁ -C₆)alkoxy, aroyloxy, substituted aroyloxy, hydroxy, thio, (C₁ -C₆)alkythio, (C₁ -C₆)alkyldithio, (C₁ -C₆)acylthio, trialkylsilyloxy or hydrogen; with the proviso that when one or both of R₇ and R₈ are hydrogen, R₉ and R₁₀ are hydrogen, hydroxymethyl or trialkylsilyloxymethyl with the proviso that only one of R₇, R₈, R₉ and R₁₀ can be one of the above disclosed substituents other than hydrogen; R₃ ' and R₄ ' are independently selected from hydrogen, (C₁ -C₆)alkyl, hydroxy, (C₁ -C₁₀)acyloxy, (C₁ -C₁₀)alkoxycarbonyloxy, (C₁ -C₁₀)alkylaminocarbonyloxy (C₁ -C₁₀)dialkylaminocarbonyloxy, or (C₁ -C₆)alkoxy with the proviso that only one of R₃ ' or R₄ ' is hydrogen or (C₁ -C₆)alkyl; R₁₁ is isopropyl when R₁₂ is hydrogen or R₁₁ is phenyl when R₁₂ is methyl; R₁₃ and R₁₄ are selected from hydrogen, (C₁ -C₆)alkyl or hydroxyl; R₁₅ is hydrogen or (C₁ -C₆)alkyl; R₁₆ is hydrogen or (C₁ -C₆)alkyl; P is (C₁ -C₆)alkyl, azrylmethyl, substituted cyclohexyl or substituted oxazalone. ##STR5##

SCHEME I

In accordance with Scheme I, the diamines of general formula 4 and 5 are prepared by a modification of previously described methods [U. Swenson, U. Hacksell, R. Dahlboom. Acta Pharm. Suec., (1978), 15, 67; H. Bittiger, J. Heid, U.S. Pat. No. 3,354,178 (1967)]. The advantage, over the published procedures, is the mild conditions used to remove the trifluoroacetamide protecting group.

Propargylamine is treated with trifluoroacetic acid anhydride in a solvent such as diethyl ether, tetrahydrofuran or methylene chloride to afford trifluoroacetamide 2. Compound 2 is reacted with paraformaldehyde, acetic or propanoic acid, cuprous halide and a secondary amine such as pyrrolidine, dimethylamine, piperidine, (R)-3-acetoxypyrroldine or (S)-2-[[(1,1-dimethylethyl)dimethylsilyl]oxy]methylpyrrolidine in a ethereal solvent such as diethyl ether, tetrahydrofuran or dioxane at the reflux temperature of the solvent to give the amine of general formula 3. A compound of general formula 3 is reacted in an alcohol solvent such as methanol, ethanol or isopropanol containing a mineral acid to produce a diamine of general formula 4. When compounds of general formula 3 contain an acid labile group, such as (S)-2-[[(1,1-dimethylethyl)dimethylsilyl]oxy]methylpyrrolidine, treatment with sodium borohydride in an alcohol solvent gives diamines of general formula 5. ##STR6##

SCHEME II

In accordance with Scheme II, ester 8, wherein R₁₅ =(C₁ -C₆)alkyl, is prepared by the procedure of J. K. Whitesell et al., J. Org. Chem., 1989, 54,2258. Ester 8 wherein R₁₅ =hydrogen is prepared by the procedure of J. K. Whitesell et al., Tetrahedron, 1986, 42,2993.

Phenylcyclohexanone, in the racemic or optically active form (Chima, 1986, 40,318, Organic Synthesis, 1990, Vol 69, 1) is reacted with an α-ketoacid, such as pyruvic acid, in an inert solvent, such as benzene or toluene, in the presence of a catalytic amount of p-toluenesulfonic acid. Water is removed by azeotropic distillation to give a compound of general formula 7 wherein R₁₅ =(C₁ -C₆)alkyl. A compound of formula 7 is reacted with allyltrimethylsilane in the presence of stannic chloride in an inert solvent, such as methylene chloride, at -78° C. to give a compound of general formula 8.

Compounds of general formula 13 are optically active, wherein one of R₁₃ or R₁₄ =(C₁ -C₆)alkyl and the other one is hydrogen, are prepared by the procedure of D. A. Evans et. al., J. Am. Chem. Soc., 1982, 104, 1737.

A compound of general formula 9 is reacted with a lower alkyllithium reagent in an ether solvent, such as diethyl ether or tetrahydrofuran, at -78° C. followed by the addition of a (C₂ -C₈)alkylcarboxylic acid chloride to give compounds of general formula 10. Alternatively, a compound of the general formula 9 is reacted with a lower alkyllithium reagent in an ether solvent, such as diethyl ether or tetrahydrofuran, at -78° C. followed by the addition of a 4-pentenoic acid chloride to give compounds of general formula 11. Reacting compounds of general formula 10 with a lower alkyllithium reagent, such as n-butyilithium or t-butyllithium, in an inert solvent, such as diethyl ether or tetrahydrofuran, at -78° C.; followed by the addition of a 2-propenyl halide and warming to -20° C. gives products of general formula 12. Alternately, reacting compounds of general formula 11 with a lower alkyllithium reagent, such as n-butyllithium or t-butyllithium, in an inert solvent, such as diethyl ether or tetrahydrofuran, at -78° C.; followed by the addition of a (C₁ -C₆)alkyl halide and warming to -20° C. gives compounds of general formula 12. The addition of compounds of general formula 12 to a solution of a (C₁ -C₆)alkyl alcohol or phenylmethyl alcohol and an alkyllithium reagent in an ether solvent, such as diethyl ether or tetrahydrofuran, at 0° C. gives compounds of general formula 13.

Compounds of general formula 17, wherein R₁₆ =(C₁ -C₆)alkyl and the other is hydrogen, are prepared by the procedure of A. V. Rama Rao et. al., Tetrahedron Letters, 1988, 29, 2069.

The dialkyl ester of (C₁ -C₆)alkyl malonate 14 is treated, with an alkali metal alkoxide and subsequently reacted with a 2-propenyl halide, such as allylbromide, to give the disubstituted malonate ester 15. Ester 15 is subjected to saponification, using potassium hydroxide in a (C₁ -C₆)alkyl alcohol, such as ethyl alcohol; followed by acidification, with a mineral acid; and decarboxylation by distillation to give the racemic acid 16. Reacting compound 15 with thionyl chloride or oxalyl chloride; followed by the addition of a (C₁ -C₆) alkyl alcohol, such as ethyl alcohol, or an arylmethyl alcohol, such as benzyl alcohol, gives the racemic ester 17.

As cited in the reference, the racemic acid may be resolved by reacting the product of treatment with thionyl chloride or oxalyl chloride with a resolving agent, such as L-phenylalaninol.

Compounds 8, 13 and 17 are of general formula 18, where p is as previously described. ##STR7##

SCHEME III

In accordance with Scheme III compounds of general formula 18 prepared in accordance with Scheme II are reacted with compounds of general formulas 4, 5 prepared in accordance with Scheme I to ultimately yield the compounds of the present invention. Accordingly, compound of general formula 18 is treated with a stream of ozone at -78° C. in methylene chloride or a (C₁ -C₆)alcohol, such as methyl alcohol or ethyl alcohol. The resulting solution is treated with a reducing agent, like a thioether, such as dimethylsulfide, a phosphine, such as triphenylphosphine, or zinc and acetic acid, to obtain an aldehyde of the general formula 19. An aldehyde of general formula 19 is reacted with a diamine of general formula 4 or 5 prepared as in Scheme I and sodium cyanoborohydride, in an alcohol solvent, such as methyl alcohol or ethyl alcohol containing a (C₁ -C₆)alkylcarboxylic acid or a strong mineral acid to maintain an acidic pH, to give an aminoester of general formula 20. A compound of general formula 20 is converted to a lactam of general formula 21 by stirring at room temperature or heating at the reflux temperature of the alcohol solvent, such as methyl alcohol or ethyl alcohol, in the presence of an alkalimetal carbonate.

A compound of general formula 21, wherein R₃ ' or R₄ ' is not hydroxyl, is reacted at room temperature with cyanogen bromide in an ether solvent, such as diethyl ether, to give a compound of general formula 22. When a compound of general formula 21 contains a free hydroxyl, (i.e., R₃ ' or R₄ '=hydroxyl), it is necessary to protect the hydroxyl group, for example as a silyl ether, by reacting the free hydroxyl with a trialkylsilyl chloride, such as t-butyldimethylsilyl chloride, and a trialkylamine, such as triethylamine, in an inert solvent, such as methylene chloride, before the compound is treated with cyanogen bromide. A compound of general formula 22 is treated with a secondary amine, such as pyrrolidine, dimethylamine, piperidine, (R)-3-acetoxypyrrolidine, (R)-[[(1,1-dimethylethyl)dimethylsilyl]oxy]pyrrolidine or (S)-2-[[[(1,1-dimethyethyl)dimethylsilyl]oxy]methy]pyrrolidine to give a compound of general formula 23, where the protecting groups are retained. Removal of the silyloxy protecting group is achieved by treatment of the silylether with mineral acid or fluoride ion in an alcohol solvent. A compound of general formula 21 can be converted to a compound of general formula 23 using the procedures described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,937,235. ##STR8##

SCHEME IV

In accordance with Scheme IV, the preparation of the compounds of the present invention wherein R₃ or R₄ are amino or azido are described. In the foregoing Scheme IV, Compound 24 is a subset of compound 23, where R₃ ' and R₄ ' are independently selected from hydroxyl or R₁₅, wherein R₁₅ is (C₁ -C₆)alkyl or hydrogen. Where R₁₅ is hydrogen, the compounds may be prepared as in Scheme III or as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,937,235.

In accordance with Scheme IV, a compound of general formula 24 is reacted with an alkyl or arylsulfonyl chloride in the presence of an amine base such as pyridine or triethylamine; in an ether or a chlorohydrocarbon solvent at 0° C. (∓5° C.), to produce a compound of general formula 25. Treatment of compound 25 with an alkali metal azide, in an alcohol or a polar aprotic solvent such as dimethylformamide, at from room temperature to the reflux temperature of the solvent, gives a compound of general formula 26. Compound 26 is treated with a reducing agent, such as zinc in acetic acid or wet triphenylphosphine, to give a compound of general formula 27. ##STR9##

SCHEME V

In accordance with Scheme V, the preparation of the compounds of the present invention wherein R₅ or R₆ are amino or azido is described. Accordingly, a compound of general formula 28, prepared by the methods described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,937,235, is reacted with an alkyl or arylsulfonyl chloride in the presence of an amine base such as pyridine or triethylamine, in an ether or a chlorohydrocarbon solvent at 0° C. (±5° C.) to produce a compound of general formula 29. Treatment of compound 29 with an alkali metal azide, in an alcohol or a polar aprotic solvent such as dimethylformamide, at from room temperature to the reflux temperature of the solvent, gives a compound of general formula 30. Compound 30 is treated with a reducing agent, such as zinc in acetic acid or wet triphenylphosphine, to give a compound of general formula 31. ##STR10##

SCHEME VI

In accordance with Scheme VI, compound 24, prepared by methods described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,937,235, is reacted with a (C₁ -C₆) or a (C₇ -C₁₀) carboxylic acid anhydride or carboxylic acid halide in the presence of a base such as pyridine or triethylamine, in an ether or chlorohydrocarbon solvent, at 0° C. (±5° C.) to give a compound of general formula 32.

Compound 24 is reacted with a (C₁ -C₁₀)alkylchloroformate in the presence of a base such as pyridine or triethylamine, in an ether or chlorohydrocarbon solvent, at 0° C. (±5° C.) to give a compound of general formula 33.

Compound 24 is reacted with a (C₁ -C₁₀)alkylisocyanate or a (C₁ -C₁₀)dialkylcarbamyl chloride in the presence of a base such as pyridine or triethylamine, in an ether or chlorohydrocarbon solvent, at 0° C. (±5° C.) to give a compound of general formula 34.

Alternatively, compound 35, prepared by the methods described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,937,235 is reacted with a (C₁ -C₆) or a (C₇ -C₁₀)carboxylic acid anhydride or a carboxylic acid halide in the presence of a base such as pyridine or triethylamine, in an ether or chlorohydrocarbon solvent at 0° C. (±5° C.) to give a compound of general formula 36.

Compound 35 is reacted with a (C₁ -C₁₀)alkylchloroformate in the presence of a base such as pyridine or triethylamine, in an ether or chlorohydrocarbon solvent at 0° C. (±5° C.) to give a compound of general formula 37.

Compound 35 is reacted with a (C₁ -C₁₀)alkylisocyanate or a (C₁ -C₁₀)dialkylcarbamyl chloride in the presence of a base such as pyridine or triethylamine, in an ether or a chlorohydrocarbon solvent at 0° C. (±5° C.) to give a compound of general formula 38.

Compounds 36, 37 and 38 are reacted with paraformaldehyde, acetic acid, copper (I) or (II) chloride and a secondary amine as disclosed in R₁ ' and R₂ ' such as pyrrolidine, in an ether solvent, such as dioxane, in an inert atmosphere at the reflux temperature of the solvent, to give on basification, the corresponding compounds of general formula 32, 33 and 34 wherein R₁ and R₂ are selected from R₁ ' and R₂ '. ##STR11##

Scheme VII

In accordance with Scheme VII, compound 39, prepared by methods described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,937,235, is reacted with a (C₁ -C₆) or (C₇ -C₁₀) carboxylic acid anhydride or carboxylic acid halide in the presence of a base, such as pyridine or triethylamine, in an ether or chlorohydrocarbon solvent, at 0° C. (±5° C.) to give a compound of general formula 40.

Compound 39 is reacted with a (C₁ -C₁₀)alkylchloroformate in the presence of a base, such as pyridine or triethylamine, in an ether or chlorohydrocarbon solvent, at 0° C. (±5° C.) to give a compound of general formula 41.

Compound 39 is reacted with a (C₁ -C₁₀)alkylisocyanate or a (C₁ -C₁₀)dialkylcarbamyl chloride in the presence of a base, such as pyridine or triethylamine, in an ether or chlorohydrocarbon solvent, at 0° C. (±5° C.) to give a compound of general formula 42.

Alternatively, compound 43, prepared by the methods described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,937,235, is reacted with a (C₁ -C₆) or (C₇ -C₁₀)carboxylic acid anhydride or a carboxylic acid halide in the presence of a base, such as pyridine or triethylamine, in an ether or a chlorohydrocarbon solvent at 0° C. (±5° C.) to give a compound of general formula 44.

Compound 43 is reacted with a (C₁ -C₁₀)alkylchloroformate in the presence of a base, such as pyridine or triethylamine, in an ether or chlorohydrocarbon solvent at 0° C. (±5° C.) to give a compound of general formula 45.

Compound 43 is reacted with a (C₁ -C₁₀)alkylisocyanate or a (C₁ -C₁₀)dialkylcarbamyl chloride in the presence of a base, such as pyridine or triethylamine, in an ether or a chlorohydrocarbon solvent at 0° C. (±5° C.) to give a compound of general formula 44.

Compounds 44, 45 and 46 are reacted with paraformaldehyde, acetic acid, copper (I) or (II) chloride and a secondary amine as disclosed in R₁ ' and R₂ ' such as pyrrolidine, in an ether solvent, such as dioxane, in an inert atmosphere at the reflux temperature of the solvent, to give on basification, the corresponding compounds of general formula 40, 41 and 42 wherein R₁ and R₂ are selected from R₁ ' and R₂ '.

The compounds of this invention are tested for cholinergic activity according to the following procedures.

[³ H] Quinuclidinyl Benzilate Binding Assay

This assay is utilized in conjunction with the ³ H-Cis-methyldioxolane binding assay to evaluate antagonist and high affinity agonist binding properties of CNS cholinergic agents. The procedure Was adapted from Watson, M., Yamamura, H. I., and Roeske, W. R., J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther. 237: 411-418 (1986) and Watson, M., Roeske, W. R., and Yamamura, H. I., J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther. 237: 419-427 (1986).

Tissue Preparation

Rats are sacrificed by decapitation and the brain removed and placed on ice. The cerebral cortex is dissected on a cold stage, weighed and homogenized (Polytron, setting 5.5 with PT-10 saw-tooth generator for 15 seconds) in 50 volumes (wet wt/vol) of ice-cold 10 mM (8.1 mM Na₂ HPO₄, 1.9 mM KH₂ PO₄) sodium-potassium phosphate buffer (NaKPB), pH 7.4. The homogenate is placed in an ice bath for 30 seconds and homogenized again as above. This procedure is repeated once again for a total of three times. The resulting homogenate is then diluted 1:3000 (original wet wt/vol) with ice-cold NaKPB for use in the assay. The final protein content per 2.0 ml of incubation mixture is 0.1 mg.

Dilution of Compounds

A stock solution of Atropine is prepared at 0.2 mM to define non-specific binding (1 μM final conc). Test compounds are prepared at 40 mM (final conc 1 mM) in buffer (if water soluble) or in absolute ethanol--1N HCl (1:1, v/v) and serially diluted to the desired concentrations. In general, dose-response profiles are examined between 1 mM and 1 pM final concentrations.

Preparation of ³ H-QNB

³ H-QNB (NEN, NET-656; specific activity=30.0 Ci/mmol) is diluted to 5 nM, with NaPB (final concentration=0.25 nM activity 18,000 cpm at a counting efficiency of 55%).

³ H-QNB Binding Assay

A typical protocol is outlined below:

    ______________________________________                                                                     Test                                               Tube         Buffer  Atropine                                                                              Compound                                                                               .sup.3 H-QNB                                                                          Tissue                              No.  ID*     μL   μL  μL   μL  ml                                  ______________________________________                                         1-2  Total   50      --     --      100    1.85                                3-4  NS      40      10     --      "      "                                   5-6  4e-11   --      --     50      "      "                                   7-8  4e-10   --      --     "       "      "                                    9-10                                                                               4e-09   --      --     "       "      "                                   11-12                                                                               4e-08   --      --     "       "      "                                   13-14                                                                               4e-07   --      --     "       "      "                                   15-16                                                                               4e-06   --      --     "       "      "                                   17-18                                                                               4e-05   --      --     "       "      "                                   19-20                                                                               4e-04   --      --     "       "      "                                   21-22                                                                               4e-03   --      --     "       "      "                                   23-24                                                                               4e-02   --      --     "       "      "                                   ______________________________________                                          *Stock concentration [M] of compound to be tested.                       

Components are added in the following order: test compound, radioligand, buffer or tissue to give a final volume of 2.0 ml. After adding the tissue homogenate, the tubes are thoroughly mixed and incubated at 25° C. for 120 minutes. At the end of 120 minutes, the samples are filtered through GF/B glass fiber filters (Whatman) using a 24 sample cell harvester (Brandel) under a vacuum of 15 mm Hg. The tubes are washed with 5×3 ml ice-cold NaKPB. The filters are then placed in scintillation vials with 10 ml of scintillation cocktail (Beckman HP or HP/B), allowed to stand overnight, shaken and then counted. Specific binding is calculated as Total--NS (non-specific). The percent inhibition of specific binding is then calculated and the Ki values computed using either the LIGAND or LUNDON software packages for competition binding. The results of this test on representative compounds of this invention appear in Table I.

[³ H]-Cis-methyldioxolane Binding Assay (High Affinity)

This assay is utilized in conjunction with ³ H-QNB binding to evaluate high affinity agonist binding and antagonist properties of CNS cholinergic agents. The procedure was adapted from Vickroy, T. W., Roeske, W. R, and Yamamura, H. I, J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther. 229: 747-755 (1984). This is a rapid filtration assay that is set up to label only the high affinity agonist conformation of the muscarinic cholinergic receptor.

Tissue Preparation

Rats are sacrificed by decapitation and the brain removed and placed on ice. The cerebral cortex is dissected on a cold stage, weighed and homogenized (Polytron, setting 5.5 with PT-10 saw-tooth generator for 15 seconds) in 50 volumes (wet wt/vol) of ice-cold 10 mM (8.1 mM Na₂ HPO₄, 1.9 mM KH₂ PO₄) sodium-potassium phosphate buffer (NaKPB), pH 7.4. The homogenate is placed in an ice bath for 30 seconds and homogenized again as above. This procedure is repeated once again for a total of three times. The resulting homogenate is then diluted 1:3000 (original wet wt/vol) with ice-cold NaKPB for use in the assay. The final protein content per 2.0 ml of incubation mixture is 0.1 mg.

Dilution of Compounds

A stock solution of Atropine is prepared at 0.2 mM to define non-specific binding (1 μM final conc). Test compounds are prepared at 40 mM (final conc 1 mM) in buffer (if water soluble) or in absolute ethanol--1N HCl (1:1, v/v) and serially diluted to the desired concentrations. In general, dose-response profiles are examined between 1 mM and 1 pM final concentrations.

Preparation of ³ H-CD

³ H-CD (NEN, NET-647; specific activity=55.5 Ci/mmol) is diluted to 20 nM with NaPB (final conc=1.0 nM, activity ˜75,000 cpm at a counting efficiency of 55%).

Technical Notes

³ H-CD adheres readily to both glass and plastic surfaces. To eliminate this problem (and the chance for introducing artifacts into the results), stock vials, pipette tips and all glass tubes are routinely treated with Prosil-28, a siliconizing agent, and oven dried prior to use in an assay. Additionally, the GF/B glass fiber filters are pre-soaked in an aqueous polyethylenimine (PEI) solution (0.1%, pH 7.0) prior to use.

All points in the inhibition curve (including total and non-specific binding)are always measured on single PEI treated filter strips to minimize filter-to-filter variability. (See Bruns, R. F., et al. Anal. Biochem. 132: 74-81 (1983) for the use of PEI treated filters in filtration receptor assays).

The ³ H-CD is prepared fresh in buffer just prior to use in the assay to avoid possible decomposition. It should be kept on an ice bath after dilution in buffer.

³ H-CD Binding Assay

A typical protocol is outlined below:

    ______________________________________                                                                     Test                                               Tube         Buffer  Atropine                                                                              Compound                                                                               .sup.3 H-QNB                                                                          Tissue                              No.  ID*     μL   μL  μL   μL  ml                                  ______________________________________                                         1-2  Total   50      --     --      100    1.85                                3-4  NS      40      10     --      "      "                                   5-6  4e-11   --      --     50      "      "                                   7-8  4e-10   --      --     "       "      "                                    9-10                                                                               4e-09   --      --     "       "      "                                   11-12                                                                               4e-08   --      --     "       "      "                                   13-14                                                                               4e-07   --      --     "       "      "                                   15-16                                                                               4e-06   --      --     "       "      "                                   17-18                                                                               4e-05   --      --     "       "      "                                   19-20                                                                               4e-04   --      --     "       "      "                                   21-22                                                                               4e-03   --      --     "       "      "                                   23-24                                                                               4e-02   --      --     "       "      "                                   ______________________________________                                          *Stock concentration [M] of compound to be tested.                       

Components are added in the following order: test compound, radioligand, buffer or tissue to give a final volume of 2.0 ml. After adding the tissue homogenate, the tubes are thoroughly mixed and incubated at 25° C. for 120 minutes. At the end of 120 minutes, the samples are filtered through GF/B glass fiber filters (Whatman) using a 24 sample cell harvester (Brandel) under a vacuum of 15 mm Hg. The tubes are washed with 5×3 ml ice-cold NaKPB. The filters are then placed in scintillation vials with 10 ml of scintillation cocktail (Beckman HP or HP/B), allowed to stand overnight, shaken and then counted. Specific binding is calculated as Total-NS (non-specific). The percent inhibition of specific binding is then calculated and the Ki values computed using either the LIGAND or LUNDON software packages for competition binding. The results of this test on representative compounds of this invention appear in Table I.

                  TABLE 1                                                          ______________________________________                                         In vitro Binding Data                                                                               .sup.3 H-QNB                                                                             .sup.3 H-CD                                     Compound             Ki uM     Ki uM                                           ______________________________________                                         2,2,2-Trifluoro- .sub.-- N-[4(1-pyrrolidinyl)-2-                                                    18.5      8.88                                            butynyl]acetamide monohydrochloride                                             .sub.-- N-[4-Dimethylamino)-2-butynyl]-2,2,2-                                                      >100      6.10                                            trifluoroacetamide monohydrochloride                                            .sub.-- N-[(4-Diethylamino)-2-butynyl]-2,2,2-                                                      >100      4.07                                            trifluoroacetamide monohydrochloride                                           (S)- .sub.-- N-[4-[2-[[[(1,1-Dimethylethyl]-                                                        >100      41.4                                            dimethylsilyl]oxy]methyl]-1-pyrro-                                             lidinyl]-2-butynyl]-2,2,2-trifluoro-                                           acetamide                                                                      4-(1-Pyrrolidinyl)-2-butyn-1-amine                                                                  >100      13.0                                            dihydrochloride                                                                 .sub.-- N, .sub.-- N-Dimethyl-2-butyne-1,4-diamine                                                 >100      20.5                                            dihydrochloride                                                                 .sub.-- N, .sub.-- N-Diethyl-2-butyne-1,4-diamine                                                  >100      >100                                            dihydrochloride                                                                Racemic-1-[4-Dimethylamino)-2-                                                                      >100      >100                                            butynyl]-3-hydroxy-3-methyl-2-pyrro-                                           lidinone                                                                       Racemic-3-Hydroxy-3-methyl-1-[4-(1-                                                                 8.6       5.70                                            pyrrolidinyl)-2-butynyl]-2-pyrrolidinone                                       Racemic 1-[4-(1-Dimethylamino)-2-                                                                   21        0.41                                            butynyl]-3-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone                                              Racemic 1-[4-(1-Diethylamino)-2-                                                                    6.0       5.1                                             butynyl]-3-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone                                              (S)-1-[4-(Dimethylamino)-2-butynyl]-3-                                                              35.5      0.68                                            methyl-2-pyrrolidinone                                                         (R)-1-[4-(Dimethylamino)-2-butynyl]-3-                                                              7.7       0.073                                           methyl-2-pyrrolidinone                                                         Racemic 1-[4-(1H-imidazol-1-yl)-2-                                                                  6.7       0.057                                           butynyl]-3-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone                                              Racemic 1-[4-(1-azetidinyl)-2-butynyl-3-                                                            2.0       0.054                                           methyl-2-pyrrolidinone                                                         [R-[(R*,R* and R*,S*)]]-1-[4-[2-[[[(1,1-                                                            2.5       5.6                                             Dimethylethyl)dimethylsilyl]methyl]-1-                                         pyrrolidinyl]-2-butynyl]-3-methyl-2-                                           pyrrolidinone                                                                  [R-(R*,R* and R*, S*)]-1-[4-[3-[[(1,1-                                                              >100      >100                                            Dimethylethyl)dimethylsilyl]oxy]-1-                                            pyrrolidinyl]-2-butynyl]-3-methyl-2-                                           pyrrolidinone                                                                  (S)-1-[4-(Diethylamino)-2-butynyl]-3-                                                               7.6       15.4                                            [[(1,1-dimethylethyl)dimethylsilyl]-                                           oxy]-2-pyrrolidinone                                                           (S)-1-[4-(1-Azetidinyl)-2-butynyl]-3-                                                               5.8       5.6                                             [[(1,1-dimethylethyl)dimethylsilyl]-                                           oxy]-2-pyrrolidinone                                                           (R)-1-[4-(1-Acetidinyl)-2-butynyl]-3-                                                               >100      >100                                            [[(1,1-dimethylethyl)dimethylsilyl]-                                           oxy]-2-pyrrolidinone                                                           (S)-3-[[(1,1-Dimethylethyl)dimethyl-                                                                >100      24.3                                            silyl]oxy]-1-[4-(1H-imidazol-1-yl)-2-                                          butynyl-2-pyrrolidinone                                                        (R)-3-[[(1,1-Dimethylethyl)dimethyl-                                                                >100      14.0                                            silyl]oxy]-1-[4-(1H-imidazol-1-yl)-2-                                          butynyl]-2-pyrrolidinone                                                       (S)-3-Hydroxy-1-[4-(1H-imidazol-1-yl)-                                                              >100      0.12                                            2-butynyl]-2-pyrrolidinone                                                     1-[4-(1H-Imidazol-1-yl)-2-butynyl]-3-                                                               >100      2.0                                             hydroxy-2-pyrrolidinone                                                        (S)-1-[4-(Dimethylamino]-2-butynyl]-3-                                                              14.3      18.2                                            [[(1,1-Dimethylethyl)dimethylsilyl]-                                           oxy]-2-pyrrolidinone                                                           (S)-1-[4-(Dimethylamino)-2-butynyl]-3-                                                              26.9      0.043                                           hydroxy-2-pyrrolidinone                                                        (R)-1-[4-(Dimethylamino)-2-butynyl]-3-                                                              104.7     0.54                                            hydroxy-2-pyrrolidinone                                                        (S)-3-[[(1,1-Dimethylethyl)dimethyl-                                                                2.7       3.0                                             silyl]oxy]-1-[4-(1-pyrrolidinyl)-2-                                            butynyl]-2-pyrrolidinone                                                       (S)-3-Hydroxy-1-[4-(1-pyrrolidinyl)-2-                                                              1.7       0.007                                           butynyl]-2-pyrrolidinone                                                       (R)-3-Hydroxy-1-[4-(1-pyrrolidinyl)-2-                                                              3.4       0.125                                           butynyl]-2-pyrrolidinone                                                       (S)-3-Hydroxy-1-[4-[(2-hydroxyethyl)-                                                               >100      1.82                                            methylamino]-2-butynyl]-2-pyrro-                                               lidinone                                                                       (R)-3-Hydroxy-1-[4-[(4-hydroxybutyl)-                                                               >100      1.45                                            methylamino]-2-butynyl]-2-pyrro-                                               lidinone                                                                       [R-(R*,S*)]-3-(Acetyloxy)-1-[4-[2-                                                                  500       1.7                                             [[[(1,1-dimethylethyl)dimethylsilyl]-                                                               9 -                                                       oxy]methyl]-1-pyrrolidinyl]-2-butynyl]-                                        2-pyrrolidinone                                                                [S-(R*,R*)]-3-(Acetyloxy)-1-[4-[2-                                                                  2.6       0.079                                           [[[(1,1-dimethylethyl)dimethylsilyl]-                                          oxy]methyl]-1-pyrrolidinyl]-2-                                                 butynyl]-2-pyrrolidinone                                                       [S-(R*,S*)]-3-(Acetyloxy)-1-[4-[2-                                                                  >100      4.2                                             [[[(1,1-dimethylethyl)dimethylsilyl]-                                          oxy]methyl]-1-pyrrolidinyl]-2-                                                 butynyl]-2-pyrrolidinone                                                       [R-(R*,R*)]-3-Acetyloxy)-1-[4-[2-                                                                   >100      10.1                                            [[[(1,1-dimethylethyl)dimethylsilyl]-                                          oxy]methyl]-1-pyrrolidinyl]-2-butynyl]-                                        2-pyrrolidinone                                                                (S)-3-(Acetyloxy)-1-[4-[2-(hydroxy-                                                                 >100      16.2                                            ethyl)methylamino]-2-butynyl]-2-                                               pyrrolidinone                                                                  (R)-3-(Acetyloxy)-1-[4-[(2-hydroxy-                                                                 >100      28.3                                            ethyl)methylamino]-2-butynyl]-2-pyrro-                                         lidinone                                                                       (S)-3-(Acetyloxy)-1-[4-[(4-hydroxy-                                                                 >100      8.21                                            butyl)methylamino]-2-butynyl]-2-pyrro-                                         lidinone                                                                       [R-(R*,S*)]-1-[4-[2-[[[(1,1-                                                                        0.5       0.47                                            Dimethylethyl)dimethylsilyl]oxy]-                                              methyl]-1-pyrrolidinyl]-2-butynyl]-                                            3-hydroxy-2-pyrrolidone                                                        [S-(R*,R*)]-1-[4-[2-[[[(1,1-                                                                        0.4       0.14                                            Dimethylethyl)dimethylsilyl]oxy]-                                              methyl]-1-pyrrolidinyl]-2-butynyl]-                                            3-hydroxy-2-pyrrolidinone                                                      [S-(R*,S*)]-1-[4-[2-[[[(1,1-Dimethyl-                                                               198       1.7                                             ethyl)dimethylsilyl]oxy]methyl]-1-                                             pyrrolidinyl]-2-butynyl]-3-hydroxy-                                            2-pyrrolidinone                                                                [R-(R*,R*)]-1-[4-[2-[[[(1,1-Dimethyl-                                                               >100      4.2                                             ethyl)dimethylsilyl]oxy]methyl]-1-                                             pyrrolidinyl]-2-butynyl]-3-hydroxy-2-                                          pyrrolidinone                                                                  (R)-3-Hydroxy-1-[4-[(2-hydroxyethyl)-                                                               >100      1.80                                            methylamino]-2-butynyl]-2-pyrro-                                               lidinone                                                                       (S)-3-Hydroxy-1-[4-[(4-hydroxybutyl)-                                                               >100      1.3                                             methylamino]-2-butynyl]-2-pyrro-                                               lidinone                                                                       [S-(R*,S*)]-3-Hydroxy-1-[4-[2-                                                                      >100      2.60                                            (hydroxymethyl)-1-pyrrolidinyl]-2-                                             butynyl]-2-pyrrolidinone                                                       [ S-(R*,R*)]-3-Hydroxy-1-[4-[2-                                                                     >100      34.3                                            (hydroxymethyl)-1-pyrrolidinyl]-2-                                             butynyl]-2-pyrrolidinone                                                       (S)-3-(Methylthio)-1-[4-                                                                            53        1.04                                            (1-pyrrolidinyl)-2-butynyl]-2-                                                 pyrrolidinone                                                                  (R)-3-(Methylithio)-1-[4-(1-pyrro-                                                                  3.6       1.4                                             lidinyl)-2-butynyl]-2-pyrroli-                                                 dinone                                                                         (S)-1-[4-(Dimethylamino)-2-butynyl]-                                                                >100      6.4                                             3-(methylthio)-2-pyrrolidinone                                                 (R)-1-[4-(Dimethylamino)-2-butynyl]-                                                                108       6.1                                             3-(methylthio)-2-pyrrolidinone                                                 (S)- .sub.-- N, .sub.-- N, .sub.-- N-Trimethyl-4-[3-(methylthio)-                                   1.8       0.31                                            2-oxo-1-pyrrolidinyl]-2-butyn-1-                                               aminium iodide                                                                 (S)-3-Azido-1-[4-(1-pyrrolidinyl)-2-                                                                3.14      0.16                                            butynyl]-2-pyrrolidinone                                                       (S)-3-Amino-1-[4-(1-pyrrolidinyl)-                                                                  73.6      0.41                                            2-butynyl]-2-pyrrolidinone dihydro-                                            chloride                                                                       (R)-3-Azido-1-[4-(1-pyrrolidinyl)-                                                                  28        0.21                                            2-butynyl]-2-pyrrolidinone                                                     (R)-3-Amino-1-[4-(1-pyrrolidinyl)-                                                                  6.1       0.35                                            2-butynyl]-2-pyrrolidinone dihydro-                                            chloride                                                                       (S)-3-Azido-1-[4-(dimethylamino)-                                                                   >100      0.63                                            2-butynyl]-2-pyrrolidinone                                                     (R)-3-Azido-1-[4-(dimethylamino)-                                                                   >100      0.50                                            2-butynyl]-2-pyrrolidinone                                                     (S)-4-(3-Azido-2-oxo-1-pyrro-                                                                       1.6       0.045                                           lidinyl)- .sub.-- N, .sub.-- N, .sub.-- N-trimethyl-2-butyn-                   1-aminium iodide                                                               (R)-4-(3-Azido-2-oxo-1-pyrro-                                                                       0.8       0.039                                           lidinyl)- .sub.-- N, .sub.-- N, .sub.-- N-trimethyl-2-butyn-1-                 aminium iodide                                                                 (S)-3-Amino-1-[4-(dimethylamino)-                                                                   >100      2.6                                             2-butynyl]-2-pyrrolidinone dihydro-                                            chloride                                                                       (R)-3-Amino-1-[4-(dimethylamino)-2-                                                                 >100      0.89                                            butynyl]-2-pyrrolidinone dihydro-                                              chloride                                                                       (S)-2-Methylpropanoic acid 1-[4-                                                                    610       ND                                              (dimethylamino)-2-butynyl]-2-oxo-3-                                            pyrrolidinyl ester                                                             (S)-2,2-Dimethylpropanoic acid 1-                                                                   484       38.8                                            [4-(dimethylamino)-2-butynyl]-2-oxo-                                           3-pyrrolidinyl ester                                                           (S)-Decanoic acid 1-[4-(dimethyl-                                                                   0.6       0.023                                           amino)-2-butynyl]-2-oxo-3-pyrro-                                               lidinyl ester                                                                  (S)-Carbonic acid 1-[4-(dimethylamino)-                                                             10        0.306                                           2-butynyl]-2-oxo-3-pyrrolidinyl octyl                                          ester                                                                          (S)-Carbonic acid 1-[4-(dimethyl-                                                                   15.1      2.16                                            amino)-2-butynyl]-2-oxo-3-pyrrolidinyl]                                        methyl ester                                                                   (S)- .sub.-- N, .sub.-- N, .sub.-- N-Trimethyl-4-[2-oxo-3-[(1-                                      0.003     0.156                                           oxodecyl)oxy]-1-pyrrolidinyl-2-butyn-                                          1-aminium iodide                                                               (S)- .sub.-- N, .sub.-- N, .sub.-- N-Trimethyl-4-[3-(2-methyl-1-                                    64.3      6.96                                            oxopropoxy)-2-oxo-1-pyrrolidinyl]-2-                                           butyn-1-aminium iodide                                                         (S)-4-[3-(2,2-Dimethyl-1-oxopropoxy)-                                                               478       7.80                                            2-oxo-1-pyrrolidinyl]- .sub.-- N, .sub.-- N, .sub.-- N-trimethyl-              2-butyn-1-aminium iodide                                                       (S)- .sub.-- N, .sub.-- N, .sub.-- N-Trimethyl-4-[3-[[(octyloxy)-                                   0.1       0.013                                           carbonyl]oxy]-2-oxo-1-pyrrolidinyl]-2-                                         butyn-1-aminium iodide                                                         (S)-2-Methylpropanoic acid 2-oxo-1-[4-                                                              7.2       0.162                                           (1-pyrrolidinyl)-2-butynyl]-3-pyrro-                                           lidinyl ester                                                                  (S)-2,2-Dimethylpropanoic acid 2-oxo-                                                               4.6       0.37                                            1-[4-(1-pyrrolidinyl)-2-butynyl]-3-                                            pyrrolidinyl ester                                                             (S)-3-[[(Methylamino)carbonyl]oxy-1-[4-                                                             433       >100                                            (1-pyrrolidinyl)-2-butynyl]-2-pyrro-                                           lidinone                                                                       (S)-Dimethylcarbamic acid 2-oxo-1-[4-                                                               40.3      9.56                                            (1-pyrrolidinyl)-2-butynyl]-3-pyrro-                                           lidinyl ester                                                                  (S)-Carbonic acid hexyl 2-oxo-1-[4-                                                                 1.7       0.015                                           (1-pyrrolidinyl)-2-butynyl]-3-pyrro-                                           lidinyl ester                                                                  (S)-Carbonic acid methyl                                                                            5.4       0.053                                           2-oxo-1-[ 4-(1-pyrrolidinyl)-2-buty-                                           nyl]-3-pyrrolidinyl ester                                                      (S)-Carbonic acid methyl 2-oxo-                                                                     10.4      0.23                                            1-[4-(1-pyrrolidinyl)-2-butynyl]-                                              3-pyrrolidinyl ester                                                           (R)-Propanoic acid 2-methyl-1-[4-                                                                   711       26.0                                            (dimethylamino)-2-butynyl]-2-oxo-                                              3-pyrrolidinyl ester                                                           (R)-2,2-Dimethylpropanoic acid                                                                      404       ND                                              1-[4-(dimethylamino)-2-butynyl]-2-                                             oxo-3-pyrrolidinyl ester                                                       (R)-Decanoic acid 1-[4-(dimethyl-                                                                   >100      0.73                                            amino)-2-butynyl]-2-oxo-3-pyrro-                                               lidinyl ester                                                                  (R)-Octylcarbamic acid 1-[4-(di-                                                                    32        1.43                                            methylamino)-2-butynyl]-2-oxo-3-                                               pyrrolidinyl ester                                                             (R)-Carbonic acid 1-[4-(dimethyl-                                                                   52        3.07                                            amino)-2-butynyl]-2-oxo-3-pyrro-                                               lidinyl methyl ester monohydro-                                                chloride                                                                       (R)-Carbonic acid 1-[4-(dimethyl-                                                                   1.5       1.04                                            amino)-2-butynyl]-2-oxo-3-pyrro-                                               lidinyl octyl ester                                                            (R)- .sub.-- N, .sub.-- N, .sub.-- N-Trimethyl-4-[3-(2-methyl-                                      45        0.24                                            1-oxopropoxy)-2-oxo-1-pyrrolidinyl]-                                           2-butyn-1-aminium iodide                                                       (R)-4-[3-(2,2-Dimethyl-1-oxopropoxy)-                                                               >100      1.22                                            2-oxo-1-pyrrolidinyl]- .sub.-- N, .sub.-- N, .sub.-- N-trimethyl-              2-butyn-1-aminium iodide                                                       (R)-4-[2-Oxo-3-[(1-oxodecyl)oxy]-                                                                   0.2       0.050                                           1-pyrrolidinyl]- .sub.-- N, .sub.-- N, .sub.-- N-trimethyl-2-                  butyn-1-aminium iodide                                                         (R)- .sub.-- N, .sub.-- N, .sub.-- N-Trimethyl-4-[3-[[(octyl-                                       0.5       0.49                                            amino)carbonyl]oxy]-2-oxo-1-pyrro-                                             lidinyl]-2-butyn-1-aminium iodide                                              (R)- .sub.-- N, .sub. -- N, .sub.-- N-Trimethyl-4-[3-[[(octyloxy)-                                  0.2       0.010                                           carbonyl]oxy]-2-oxo-1-pyrrolidinyl]-                                           2-butyn-1-aminium iodide                                                       (R)-2-Methylpropanoic acid 2-oxo-1-                                                                 87        0.135                                           [4-(1-pyrrolidinyl)-2-butynyl)-3-pyrro-                                        lidinyl ester                                                                  (R)-2,2-Dimethylpropanoic acid 2-oxo-                                                               10.2      0.50                                            1-[4-(1-pyrrolidinyl)-2-butynyl]-3-                                            pyrrolidinyl ester                                                             (R)-Decanoic acid 2-oxo-1-[4-(1-pyrro-                                                              0.2       0.097                                           lidinyl)-2-butynyl]-3-pyrrolidinyl                                             ester                                                                          (R)-Carbonic acid 2-oxo-1-[4-(1-pyrro-                                                              1.4       0.11                                            lidinyl)-2-butynyl]-3-pyrrolidinyl                                             phenymethyl ester                                                              (R)-Octylcarbamic acid 2-oxo-1-[4-(1-                                                               0.2       0.24                                            pyrrolidinyl)-2-butynyl]-3-pyrrolidinyl                                        ester                                                                          (R)-Carbonic acid octyl 2-oxo-1-[4-                                                                 0.1       0.076                                           (1-pyrrolidinyl)-2-butynyl]-3-pyrro-                                           lidinyl ester                                                                  (R)-Carbonic acid methyl 2-oxo-1-[4-                                                                27.3      0.35                                            (1-pyrrolidinyl)-2-butynyl]-3-pyrro-                                           lidinyl ester                                                                  (S)-Decanoic acid 2-oxo-1-[4-(1-pyrro-                                                              0.035     0.33                                            lidinyl)-2-butynyl]-4-pyrrolidinyl                                             ester                                                                          (S)-Carbonic acid methyl 2-oxo-1-[4-(1-                                                             1.8       0.85                                            pyrrolidiny-2-butynyl]-4-pyrrolidinyl                                          ester                                                                          (S)-Octylcarbamic acid 2-oxo-1-[4-(1-                                                               0.13      0.35                                            pyrrolidinyl-2-butynyl]-4-pyrrolidinyl                                         ester                                                                          ______________________________________                                    

Those compounds which have ³ H-CD and ³ H-QNB Ki values of less than 100 μM are considered active. The compounds tested can be divided into 3 categories:

1. compounds which are products or therapeutic agents;

2. compounds which are a prodrug form of the products or therapeutic agents and

3. compounds which are reaction intermediates.

The term prodrug signifies a compound which is to some degree chemically and biochemically labile. When the prodrug is metabolized in the body, the active product or therapeutic agent is released or unmasked.

The pharmaceutical preparations of the present invention may contain, for example, from about 0.5% up to about 90% of the active ingredient in combination with the carrier, more usually between 5% and 60% by weight.

The effective dosage of active ingredient employed may vary with the particular compound employed, the mode of administration, and the severity of the condition being treated. In general, however, satisfactory results are obtained when the compounds of the invention are administered at a daily dosage of from about 0.02 mg to about 100 mg/kg of patient body weight, preferably given in divided doses two to four times a day, or in sustained release form. For most patients, the total daily dosage is from about 1 mg to about 5,000 mg, preferably from about 1 mg to 20 mg. Dosage forms suitable for internal use comprise from about 0.25 to 5.0 mg of the active compound in intimate admixture with a solid or liquid pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. This dosage regimen may be adjusted to provide the optimal therapeutic response. For example, several divided doses may be administered daily or the dose may be proportionally reduced as indicated by the exigencies of the therapeutic situation.

A decided practical advantage is that these active compounds may be administered orally as well as by intravenous, intramuscular, or subcutaneous routes if necessary. Solid carriers include starch, lactose, dicalcium phosphate, microcrystalline cellulose, sucrose, and kaolin, while liquid carriers include sterile water, polyethylene glycols, non-ionic surfactants, and edible oils such as corn, peanut, and sesame oils, as are appropriate to the nature of the active ingredient and the particular form of administration desired. Adjuvants customarily employed in the preparation of pharmaceutical compositions may be advantageously included, such as flavoring agents, coloring agents, and antioxidants, e.g., vitiamin E, ascorbic acid, BHT and BHA.

The preferred pharmaceutical compositions from the standpoint of ease of preparation and administration are solid compositions, particularly tablets and hard-filled or liquid-filled capsules. Oral administration of the compounds is preferred.

These active compounds may also be administered parenterally or intraperitoneally. Solutions or suspensions of these active compounds as a free base or pharmacologically acceptable salt can be prepared in water suitably mixed with a surfactant such as hydroxypropylcellulose. Dispersions can also be prepared in glycerol, liquid polyethylene glycols, and mixtures thereof in oils. Under ordinary conditions of storage and use, these preparations contain a preservative to prevent the growth of microorganisms.

The pharmaceutical forms suitable for injectable use include sterile aqueous solutions or dispersions and sterile powders for the extemporaneous preparation of sterile injectable solutions or dispersions. In all cases, the form must be sterile and must be fluid to the extent that easy syringability exits. It must be stable under the conditions of manufacture and storage and must be preserved against the contaminating action of microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi. The carrier can be a solvent or dispersion medium containing, for example, water ethanol, polyol (e.g., glycerol, propylene glycol, and liquid polyethylene glycol), suitable mixtures thereof, and vegetable oils.

As used herein, "pharmaceutically acceptable carrier" includes any and all solvents, dispersion media, coatings, antibacterial and antifungal agents, isotonic and absorption delaying agents and the like. The use of such media and agents for pharmaceutically active substances is well known in the art. Except insofar as any conventional media or agent is incompatible with the active ingredient, its use in therapeutic compositions is contemplated.

The following examples describe in detail the chemical synthesis of representative compounds of the present invention. The procedures are illustrations, and the invention should not be construed as being limited by chemical reactions and conditions they express. No attempt has been made to optimize the yields obtained in these reactions, and it would be obvious to one skilled in the art that variations in reaction times, temperatures, solvents, and/or reagents could increase the yields.

EXAMPLE 1 2,2,2-Trifluoro-N-2-propynlacetamide

To a stirring 0° C. solution of 15.0 g of propargylamine in 200 ml of methylene chloride is added, dropwise, a solution of 63.0 g of trifluoroacetic anhydride in 50 ml of methylene chloride. The reaction is stirred at room temperature for 1 hour followed by the addition of 100 ml of water. The mixture is washed with 150 ml of 1N hydrochloric acid and 150 ml of saturated sodium bicarbonate. The organic layer is dried, filtered and concentrated in vacuo. The residue is distilled under vacuum (0.2 mm Hg) at 40° C. to give 32.1 g of the desired product as a colorless oil.

EXAMPLE 2 2,2,2-Trifluoro-N-[4-(1-pyrrolidinyl)-2-butynyl]acetamide monohydrochloride

A mixture of 50.0 g of product from Example 1, 47.1 g of pyrrolidine, 24.9 g of paraformaldehyde, 50 ml of glacial acetic acid, 0.5 g of cuprous chloride and 500 ml of dry dioxane is heated at reflux temperature for 20 minutes. The reaction mixture is concentrated in vacuo and made basic to pH 10-11 with concentrated ammonium hydroxide. The aqueous layer is extracted with methylene chloride. The combined organic extracts are dried over sodium sulfate, filtered through a pad of diatomaceous earth and concentrated in vacuo. The residue is distilled under vacuum (0.3 mm Hg) at 110°-120° C. to give the desired product as a yellow oil. Eight grams of oil is dissolved in 1N methanolic hydrogen chloride. The resulting solid is collected and recrystallized from methyl alcohol/diethyl ether to give 1.7 g of the desired product as the monohydrochloride.

MP 125°-127° C.

Following the general procedure of Example 2 and using 2,2,2-trifluoro-N-2-propynylacetamide (Example 1), the products of Examples 3-5, found in Table II, are prepared.

                                      TABLE II                                     __________________________________________________________________________                                     MP °C./or [alpha].sub.D.sup.26.degr                                     ee.                                            Example                                                                             Reactant       Product     (methylene chloride)                           __________________________________________________________________________     3    Dimethylamine   .sub.-- N-[4-Dimethylamino)-2-                                                            112-114°                                                    butynyl]-2,2,2-trifluoro-                                                      acetamide monohydro-                                                           chloride                                                   4    Diethylamine    .sub.-- N-[4-(Diethylamino)-2-                                                            111-112°                                                    butynyl]-2,2,2-trifluoro-                                                      acetamide monohydro-                                                           chloride                                                   5    (S)-2-[[[1,1-(Dimethylethyl)-                                                                 (S)- .sub.-- N-[4-[2-[[[(1,1-                                                              [alpha].sub.D.sup.26 = -41°                  dimethylsilyl]oxy-methyl]-1-                                                                  Dimethylethyl]-                                                 pyrrolidinyl]-2-butynyl]-2,2,2-                                                               dimethylsilyl]oxy]-                                             trifluoroacetamide                                                                            methyl]-1-pyrrolidinyl]-                                   2-butynyl]-2,2,2-                                                                                  trifluoroacetamide                                         __________________________________________________________________________

EXAMPLE 6 4-(1-Pyrrolidinyl)-2-butyn-1-amine dihydrochloride

A mixture of 50.0 g of product from Example 2 and 267 ml of 4N hydrochloric acid is heated at reflux temperature. After 2 hours, the progress of the reaction is checked by thin layer chromatography, 70 ml of concentrated hydrochloric acid is added and the mixture is heated at reflux temperature overnight. The reaction is concentrated in vacuo and the residue is washed with methylene chloride. The aqueous layer is cooled, made basic with 10N sodium hydroxide and extracted with methylene chloride. The combined organic extracts are dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and concentrated in vacuo to give 27.8 g of a dark oil. The oil is treated with 450 ml of 1N methanolic hydrogen chloride and concentrated in vacuo. The resulting solid is recrystallized from methyl alcohol/diethyl ether to give 31.2 g of the desired product as off-white crystals.

MP 192°-193° C.

Following the general procedure of Example 6, the products of Examples 7-8, found in Table III, are prepared.

                                      TABLE III                                    __________________________________________________________________________     Example                                                                             Starting Material                                                                       Reactant Product          MP °C.                          __________________________________________________________________________     7    Example 3                                                                               Hydrochloric acid                                                                        .sub.-- N, .sub.-- N-Dimethyl-2-butyne-1,4-diamine                            .                181-183°                                               dihydrochloride                                         8    Example 4                                                                               Hydrochloric acid                                                                        .sub.-- N, .sub.-- N-Diethyl-2-butyne-1,4-diamine                                              149-150°                                               dihydrochloride                                         __________________________________________________________________________

EXAMPLE 9 (S)-4-[2-[[[(1,1-Dimethylethyl)dimethylsily]oxy]methyl]-1-pyrrolidinyl]-2-butyn-1-amine

To a stirring solution of 5.76 g of product from Example 5 in 145 ml of tetrahydrofuran and 3 ml of water is added 5.76 g of sodium borohydride. The reaction is stirred at room temperature for 18 hours followed by concentration in vacuo to half volume. Saturated sodium chloride is added and the mixture is extracted with methylene chloride. The organic layer is concentrated in vacuo to give a viscous oil. The oil is purified by chromatography (alumina, grade 2.5, 1% methyl alcohol/methylene chloride) to give 1.92 g of the desired product as a colorless oil. [α]_(D) ²⁶° =-56° (methyl alcohol, c=1.016%).

EXAMPLE 10 Racemic 1-[4-(Dimethylamino)-2-butynyl]-3-hydroxy-3-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone

A solution of 5.0 g of 2-phenylcyclohexanol, 8.25 g of pyruvic acid, 0.3 g of p-toluenesulfonic acid and 100 ml of toluene is heated at reflux temperature. A Dean-Stark trap is used to collect the water distillate. The reaction is cooled, washed with aqueous sodium bicarbonate, dried and the filtrate concentrated in vacuo. The residue is purified by column chromatography (silica gel, methylene chloride) to give 5.5 g of trans-2-phenylcyclohexylpyruvate.

To a -78° C. solution of 15 g of trans-2-phenylcyclohexylpyruvate in 400 ml of methylene chloride is added, dropwise via syringe, 9.0 g of stannic chloride. The solution is stirred for 10 minutes followed by the addition of 25 ml of allyltrimethylsilane in 15 ml of methylene chloride. The reaction is stirred at -78° C. for 1 hour. Eighteen ml of triethylamine is added and the mixture allowed to warm to room temperature. Twenty-five ml of water and 10 g of diatomaceous earth is added and the mixture filtered through a pad of diatomaceous earth. The organic layer is washed with water, dried and concentrated in vacuo. The residue is purified by chromatography (silica gel, 10% ethyl acetate/petroleum ether) to give 16 g of trans-2-phenylcyclohexyl-2-hydroxy-2-methyl-4-pentenoate.

A stream of ozone is passed through a solution of 5.0 g of trans-2-phenylcyclohexyl-2-hydroxy-2-methyl-4-pentenoate in 15 ml of methylene chloride until a blue color persists. The blue color is discharged with a stream of argon. Two ml of dimethylsulfide is added and the solution allowed to warm to room temperature. The solution is concentrated to approximately 75 ml, washed with saturated sodium chloride, dried and concentrated in vacuo. The residue is diluted with 100 ml of methyl alcohol and successively treated with 3.2 g of sodium acetate, 10 ml of acetic acid and 3.0 g of N,N-dimethyl-2-butyne-1,4-diamine hydrochloride. The resulting reaction mixture is stirred at room temperature for 10 minutes. One and one-half grams of sodium cyanoborohydride is added, in portions, over the next 2 hours and the reaction is stirred overnight at room temperature. The mixture is concentrated in vacuo, partitioned between methylene chloride and saturated aqueous sodium carbonate, and the layers separated. The organic layer is dried and concentrated in vacuo. The residue is a mixture of the product and its ring open form 4-[[4-(dimethylamino)-2-butynyl]amino]-2-methylbutanoic acid ethyl ester. The oil which is a mixture of the product and its ring open form, 0.030 g of p-toluenesulfonic acid and 150 ml of ethyl alcohol is heated at reflux temperature for 36 hours. The solution is concentrated in vacuo and the residue purified by chromatography (alumina, 1-5% methyl alcohol/methylene chloride) to give 1.4 g of the desired product as a waxy solid.

MP 58°-59° C. CI-MS: m/z 211 (M+H⁺).

EXAMPLE 11 Racemic 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-1-[4-(1-pyrrolidiny) 2-butynyl]-2-pyrrolidione

The title compound is prepared by the procedure of Example 10 up to and including the ozonization procedure with the substitution of the product from Example 6 for the product of Example 7. CI-MS: m/z 237 (M+H⁺).

EXAMPLE 12 (S)-4-(1-Methylethyl)-3-(1-oxo-4-pentenyl)-2-oxazolidinone

To a -78° C. solution of 5.0 g of 4(4-(1-methylethyl)-2-oxazolidinone in 80 ml of tetrahydrofuran is added, dropwise, 15.5 ml of 2.5M n-butyl lithium in hexane. After stirring for 30 minutes, a solution of 4.8 g of 4-pentenyl chloride in 30 ml of tetrahydrofuran is added, dropwise, and the resulting solution is stirred at -78° C. for 3.5 hours. The reaction is diluted with aqueous ammonium chloride and diethyl ether. The organic layer is washed with water, dried and concentrated in vacuo. The residue is purified by chromatography (silica gel, 25% ethyl acetate/petroleum ether) to give 5.8 g of the desired product as a pale yellow oil. [α]_(D) ²⁶° =+79° (methylene chloride).

EXAMPLE 13 (4R-cis)-5-Methyl-3-(1-oxo-4-pentenyl)-4-phenyl-2-oxazolidinone

The title compound is prepared by the procedure of Example 12, using 8.0 g of (4R-cis)-5-methyl-3,4-phenyl-2-oxazolidinone, 18 ml of 2.5M n-butyl lithium and 5.0 g of 4-pentenyl chloride to give 10.3 g of the desired product as colorless crystals.

MP 69°-70° C. [α]_(D) ²⁶° =+34° (methylene chloride).

EXAMPLE 14 [S-(R*,R*)]-4-(1-Methylethyl)-3-(2-methyl-1-oxo-4-pentenyl)-2-oxazolidinone

To a -78° C. solution of 2.0 g of product from Example 12 in 40 ml of tetrahydrofuran is added, dropwise, 7.6 ml of 1.5M lithium diisopropylamide in tetrahydrofuran. The reaction is stirred at -78° C. for 1 hour, 1.8 ml of iodomethane is added and the mixture stirred at -20° C. for 3 hours. The reaction is diluted with aqueous ammonium chloride and methylene chloride. The organic layer is washed with water, dried and concentrated in vacuo. The residue is purified by chromatography (silica gel, 25% ethyl acetate/hexane) to give 1.3 g of the product as colorless crystals.

MP 54°-55° C. [α]_(D) ²⁶° =+108° (methylene chloride).

EXAMPLE 15 [4R-[3(R*), 4 alpha,5 alpha]]-5-Methyl-3-(2-methyl-1-oxo-4-pentenyl)-4-phenyl-2-oxazolidinone

The title compound is prepared by the procedure of Example 14, using 4.0 g of (4R-cis)-5-methyl-1-3-(-oxo-4-pentenyl)-4-phenyl-2-oxazolidinone, 12.3 ml of 1.5M lithium diisopropylamide and 1.8 ml of iodomethane to give 2.9 g of the desired product as a pale yellow oil. [α]_(D) ²⁶° =-2° (methylene chloride).

EXAMPLE 16 (S)-2-Methyl-4-pentenoic acid phenylmethyl ester

To a 0° C. solution of 5.1 g of benzyl alcohol in 50 ml of tetrahydrofuran is added, dropwise, 3.8 ml of 2.5M n-butyl lithium in hexane. To this mixture is added, via cannula, a solution of 3.5 g of [S-(R*,R*)]4-(1-methylethyl)-3-(2-methyl-1-oxo-4-pentenyl)-2-oxazolidinone in 100 ml of tetrahydrofuran. The resulting solution is stirred at 0° C. for 2 hours. The reaction is diluted with saturated aqueous ammonium chloride and methylene chloride. The organic layer is washed with water, dried and concentrated in vacuo. The residue is purified by chromatography (silica gel, methylene chloride) to give 2.9 g of the desired product as a colorless oil. [α]_(D) ²⁶° =+3° (methylene chloride).

EXAMPLE 17 (R)-2-Methyl-4-pentenoic acid phenylmethyl ester

The title compound is prepay red by the procedure of Example 16 using, 3.5 g of [4R-[3(R*),4 alpha, 5 alpha]]-5-methyl-3-(2-methyl-1-oxo-4-pentenyl)-4-phenyl-1-2-oxazolidinone, 4.2 g of benzyl alcohol and 3.1 ml of 2.5M n-butyl lithium to give 2.4 g of the desired product as a colorless oil. [α]_(D) ²⁶° =-2° (methylene chloride).

EXAMPLE 18 Racemic 2-methyl-4-pentenoic acid phenylmethyl ester

To 1.2 L of ethyl alcohol under an atmosphere of argon is added, in portions, 14.9 g of sodium. After all the sodium is dissolved, 103 ml of diethyl methylmalonate is added and the reaction is stirred at room temperature for 30 minutes. Fifty-one ml of allyl bromide is added, dropwise, and the resulting solution is stirred at room temperature for 18 hours. The reaction is concentrated in vacuo and the residue partitioned between water and methylene chloride. The organic layer is dried and concentrated in vacuo to give 7.7 g of methyl 2-propenylpropane dicarboxylic acid diethyl ester.

A mixture of 77.7 g of methyl 2-propenylpropane dicarboxylic acid diethyl ester, 123 g of potassium hydroxide and 625 ml of ethyl alcohol is heated at reflux for 53 hours. The reaction is cooled, concentrated in vacuo and the residue partitioned between water and diethyl ether. The aqueous layer is separated, made acidic with concentrated hydrochloric acid, saturated with solid sodium chloride and extracted with diethyl ether. The combined diethyl ether layers are dried and concentrated in vacuo to give 80 g of methyl 2-propenylpropane dicarbolic acid as colorless crystals; MP 89°-90° C.

Twenty three grams of methyl 2-propenylpropane dicarboxylic acid is heated in a Kugelrohr apparatus at 170° C. (20 mm/Hg). Sixteen grams of colorless liquid is collected in an ice cooled receiver. Distillation of the liquid gave racemic 2-methyl-4-pentenoic acid as a colorless liquid; bp 115°-125° C. at 20 mm Hg.

To a solution of 25 g of racemic 2-methyl-4-pentenoic acid, 0.3 g of dimethylformamide and 150 ml of methylene chloride is added, dropwise, 48.2 ml of oxalyl chloride. The resulting solution is stirred at room temperature until gas evolution ceases (3 hours). The reaction is concentrated in vacuo, diluted with methylene chloride and reconcentrated in vacuo to give 29.5 g of crude racemic 2-methyl-4-pentenyl chloride.

To a 0° C. solution of 23.8 g of benzyl alcohol, 0.05 g of 4-(dimethylamino)pyridine, 18.3 g of pyridine and 250 ml of methylene chloride is added, dropwise, a solution of 29.5 g of racemic 2-methyl-4-pentenoyl chloride in 50 ml of methylene chloride. The mixture is stirred at room temperature for 4 hours, followed by successive washing with 2N hydrochloric acid, saturated sodium bicarbonate and saturated sodium chloride. The organic layer is dried and concentrated in vacuo. The residue is purified by Kugelrohr distillation to give 35.2 g of the desired product as a colorless oil; bp 70°-75° C. at 0.10 mm Hg.

EXAMPLE 19 Racemic 1-[4-(1-Dimethylamino)-2-butynyl]-3-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone

A stream of ozone is passed through a -78° C. solution of 1.0 g of racemic 2-methyl-4-pentenoic acid phenylmethyl ester in 110 ml of methyl alcohol until the blue color persists. The excess zone is discharged by a stream of oxygen, followed by argon. One gram of zinc dust and 1.0 g of acetic acid is added and the resulting mixture allowed to warm to room temperature; followed by stirring for 1 hour. The excess zinc is removed by filtration and the filtrate is concentrated in vacuo. The residue is extracted with diethyl ether, filtered and the filtrate concentrated in vacuo. The residue is purified by pad filtration (silica gel, 50% diethyl ether/petroleum ether) to give 1.01 g of racemic 2-methyl-4-oxobutanoic acid phenylmethyl ester.

A solution of racemic 2-methyl-4-oxo-butanoic acid phenylmethyl ester in 5 ml of methyl alcohol is added to a room temperature solution of 3.0 g of N,N-dimethyl-2-butyne-1,4-diamine dihydrochloride, 2.5 g of sodium acetate and 30 ml of methyl alcohol. The resulting solution is stirred at room temperature for 15 minutes. One gram of sodium cyanoborohydride is added, in portions, over 2 hours and the resulting mixture is stirred for 18 hours. The reaction is made acidic with 1.0 ml of concentrated hydrochloric acid and concentrated in vacuo. The residue is made basic with sodium hydroxide and extracted with methylene chloride. The organic layer is washed with water, dried and concentrated in vacuo. The residue is purified by chromatography (alumina, activity grade 2.5, 25-100% ethyl acetate/petroleum ether) to give 5.7 g of the desired product as a pale yellow oil. CI-MS: m/z 195 (M+H⁺).

Following the general procedure of Example 19, the products of Examples 20-22, found in Table IV, are prepared.

                                      TABLE IV                                     __________________________________________________________________________                                      [alpha].sub.D.sup.26°                                                   (methylene chloride)                          Example                                                                             Starting Material #                                                                      Reactant                                                                            Product      or CI-MS:m/z                                  __________________________________________________________________________     20   18        4    Racemic 1-[4-(1-                                                                            223 (M + H.sup.+)                                                 Diethylamino)-2-butynl]-                                   3-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone                                                       21   16        3    (S)-1-[4-(Dimethylamino)-                                                                   -21°                                   2-butynyl]-3-methyl-2-                                                                             pyrrolidinone                                              22   17        3    (R)-1-[4-(Dimethylamino)-                                                                   +22°                                   2-butynyl]-3-methyl-2-                                                                             pyrrolidinone                                              __________________________________________________________________________

EXAMPLE 23 (S)-1-(4-Bromo-2-butynyl)-3-[[(1,1-dimethylethyl)dimethylsilyl]oxy]-2-pyrrolidinone

A mixture of 3.0 g of (S)-3-[[(1,1-dimethylethyl)dimethylsilyl]oxy]-1-propargyl-2-pyrrolidinone, 0.9 g of paraformaldehyde, 2.5 ml of diethylamine, 3.5 ml of acetic acid and 0.050 g of cuprous chloride is stirred at room temperature for 15 minutes, followed by heating at reflux temperature for 30 minutes. The reaction is cooled, Concentrated in vacuo, made basic (pH 10) with ammonium hydroxide and partitioned between methylene chloride and water. The layers are separated, the aqueous layer reextracted and the methylene chloride extracts are combined. The organic solution is dried and concentrated in vacuo with 100 ml of toluene as co-solvent. The residue is purified by chromatography (alumina, activity grade 2.5, 1-5% methyl alcohol/methylene chloride) to give 3.0 g of (S)-1-[4-(diethylamino)-2-butynyl]-3-[[(1,1-dimethylethyl)dimethylsilyl]oxy]-2-pyrrolidinone as a yellow oil. [α]_(D) ²⁶° =-56 (methylene chloride).

A solution of 2.4 g of (S)-1-[4-diethylamino-2-butynyl]-3-[[(1,1-dimethylethyl)dimethylsilyl]oxy]-2-pyrrolidinone and 0.8 g of cyanogen bromide in 40 ml of diethyl ether is stirred at room temperature for 18 hours. The solution is washed with 30 ml of 1N hydrochloric acid and saturated sodium bicarbonate, dried and concentrated in vacuo. The residue is purified by chromatography (silica gel, methylene chloride) to give 2.0 g of the desired product as a colorless oil. [α]_(D) ²⁶° =-31° (methylene chloride).

The starting (S)-3-[[(1,1-dimethylethyl)dimethylsilyl]oxy]-1-propargyl-2-pyrrolidinone is prepared by the procedure described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,937,235.

EXAMPLE 24 (R)-1-(4-Bromo-2-butynyl)-3-[[(1,1-dimethylethyl)dimethylsilyl]oxy]-2-pyrrolidinone

The title compound is prepared by the procedure of Example 23 using 10.7 g of (R)-3-[[(1,1-dimethylethyl)dimethylsilyl]oxy]-1-propargyl-2-pyrrolidinone, 8.7 ml of diethylamine, 3.2 g of paraformaldehyde, 0.10 g of cuprous chloride, 15 ml of acetic acid and 100 ml of dioxane. Ten grams of the diamine intermediate is treated with 3.5 g of cyanogen bromide in 150 ml of diethyl ether to give 2.05 g of the desired compound as a yellow oil. [α]_(D) ²⁶° =+26° (methylene chloride).

The starting (R) -3-[[(1,1-dimethylethyl)dimethylsilyl]oxy]-1-propargyl-2-pyrrolidinone is prepared by the procedure described in U S. Pat. No. 4,937,235.

EXAMPLE 25 1-(4-Bromo-2-butynyl-3-methyl)-2-pyrrolidine

To 31.0 g of N,N-diethyl-2-butyne-1,4-diamine dihydrochloride dissolved in 150 ml of methyl alcohol is added 30 ml of acetic acid and 23.8 g of sodium acetate. The resulting suspension is stirred at room temperature for 20 minutes. Ten grams of 2-methyl-4-oxo-butanoic acid phenylmethyl ester (intermediate in Example 19), is added and the mixture is stirred for 15 minutes. Three grams of sodium cyanoborohydride is added in portions and the mixture is stirred at room temperature for 18 hours.

The reaction mixture is concentrated in vacuo, made basic (pH 12) with 5N sodium hydroxide and extracted with methylene chloride. The combined organic layers are dried, filtered and concentrated in vacuo to give 9.7 g of oil. The oil is purified by chromatography (alumina, activity grade 2.5, 0-75% ethyl acetate/petroleum ether) to give 5.9 g of 1-[4-(diethylamino)-2-butynyl]-3-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone. CI-MS:m/z 223 (M+H).

A solution of 2.7 g of cyanogen bromide in 50 ml of diethyl ether is added to 5.1 g of 1-[4-(diethylamino)-2-butynyl]-3-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone dissolved in 50 ml diethyl ether. The reaction is stirred at room temperature for 66 hours. The mixture is washed with 1N hydrochloric acid and saturated sodium bicarbonate, dried, filtered and concentrated in vacuo to give 7.1 g of a light yellow oil. The oil is purified by chromatography (silica gel, petroleum ether/ethyl acetate) to give 3.8 g of the desired product. CI-MS:m/z 247 (M+NH₄ ⁺).

EXAMPLE 26 (S)-3-[[(1,1-Dimethylethyl)dimethylsilyl]oxy]-1-[4-(1H-imidazol-1-yl)-2-butynyl]-2-pyrrolidinone

A solution of 2.0 g of (S)-1-(4-bromo-2-butynyl)-3-[[(1,1-dimethylethyl)dimethylsilyl]oxy]-2-pyrrolidinone, 1.3 g of imidazole and 50 ml of tetrahydrofuran is stirred at room temperature for 72 hours. The solution is concentrated in vacuo. The residue is purified by chromatography (alumina, activity grade 2.5, 2% methyl alcohol/methylene chloride) to give 1.6 g of the desired product as a colorless oil. [α]_(D) ²⁶° =31 30° (methylene chloride).

EXAMPLE 27 (S)-3-Hydroxy-1-[4(1H-imidazol-1-yl)-2-butynyl]-2-pyrrolidinone

A solution of 1.6 g of 1-(4-bromo-2-butynyl)3-[[(1,1-dimethylethyl)dimethylsilyl]oxy]-2-pyrrolidinone in 15 ml of 1N methanolic hydrogen chloride is stirred at room temperature for 2 hours. The reaction is concentrated in vacuo, partitioned between methylene chloride and saturated sodium carbonate and the layers are separated. The organic layer is dried and concentrated in vacuo. The residue is purified by chromatography (alumina, activity grade 2.5, 2% methyl alcohol/methylene chloride) to give 0.9 g of the desired product as off-white crystals.

MP 127°-128° C. [α]_(D) ²⁶° =-47° (methylene chloride).

Following the general procedure of Examples 26 and 27, the products of Examples 28-33 found in Table V are prepared.

                                      TABLE V                                      __________________________________________________________________________          Starting                    [alpha].sub.D.sup.26°                  Example                                                                             Material #                                                                           Reactant                                                                             Product         (methylene chloride)                          __________________________________________________________________________     28   23    Azetidine                                                                            (S)-1-[4-(1-Azetidinyl)-                                                                       -34°                                   2-butynyl]-3-[[(1,1-                                                                            dimethylethyl)-                                                                dimethylsilyl]oxy]-2-                                                          pyrrolidinone                                                 29   24    Imidazole                                                                            (R)-3-[[(1,1-   +32°                                                    Dimethylethyl)-                                                                dimethylsilyl]oxy]-1-                                                          [4-(1H-imidazol-1-yl)-2-                                                       butynyl]-2-pyrrolidinone                                      30   24    Azetidine                                                                            (R)-1-[4-(1-Azetidinyl)-2-                                                                     +36°                                                    butynyl]-3-[[(1,1-dimethyl-                                                    ethyl)dimethylsilyl]oxy]-2-                                                    pyrrolidinone                                                 31   28    Methanolic                                                                           (S)-3-Hydroxy-1-[4-(1-                                                                         (not stable)                                             hydrogen                                                                             azetidinyl)-2-butynyl]-2-                                                chloride                                                                             pyrrolidinone                                                 32   29    Methanolic                                                                           1-[4-(1H-Imidazol-1-yl)-2-                                                                     +39°                                              hydrogen                                                                             butynyl]-3-hydroxy-2-                                                    chloride                                                                             pyrrolidinone                                                 33   30    Methanolic                                                                           (R)-3-Hydroxy-1-[4-(1-                                                                         (not stable)                                             hydrogen                                                                             azetidinyl)-2-butynyl]-                                                  chloride                                                            2-pyrrolidinone                                                                __________________________________________________________________________

Examples 34-49 (Table VI) are prepared according to the procedures described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,937,235. An alternate synthetic pathway to the products in Examples 34-49 can be achieved using the process described in Examples 23 and 24.

                                      TABLE VI                                     __________________________________________________________________________                                              [alpha].sub.D.sup.26° or       Example                                                                             Starting Material #                                                                      Reactant   Product        CI-MS:m/z                             __________________________________________________________________________     34   23        Dimethylamine                                                                             (S)-1-[4-(Dimethylamino)                                                                      -37° (mc)                      2-butynyl]-3-[[(1,1-                                                                                     dimethylethyl)-                                                                dimethylsilyl]oxy]-                                                            2-pyrrolidinone                                      35   24        Dimethylamine                                                                             (R)-1-[4-(Dimethylamino)-                                                                     ND                                                              2-butynyl]-3-[[(1,1-                                                           dimethylethyl)dimethyl-                                                        silyl]oxy]-2-pyrro-                                                            lidinone                                             36   34        Methanolic hydrogen                                                                       (S)-1-[4-(Dimethylamino)-2-                                                                   -71° (mc)                                     chloride   butynyl]-3-hydroxy-2-                                                          pyrrolidinone                                        37   35        Methanolic hydrogen                                                                       (R)-1-[4-(Dimethylamino)-2-                                                                   +69° (mc)                                     chloride   butynyl-3-hydroxy-2-                                                           pyrrolidinone                                        38   23        Pyrrolidone                                                                               (S)-3-[[(1,1-Dimethylethyl)-                                                                  -35° (mc)                                                dimethylsilyl]oxy]-1-[4-(1-                                                    pyrrolidinyl)-2-butynyl]-2-                                                    pyrrolidinone                                        39   24        Pyrrolidine                                                                               (R)-3-[[(1,1-Dimethylethyl)-                                                                  ND                                                              dimethylsilyl]oxy]-1-[4-(1-                                                    pyrrolidinyl)-2-butynyl]-2-                                                    pyrrolidinone                                        40   23        Methanolic hydrogen                                                                       (S)-3-Hydroxy-1-[4-                                                                           -63° (ma)                                     chloride   (1-pyrrolidinyl)-2-                                                            butynyl]-2-pyrrolidinone                             41   24        Methanolic hydrogen                                                                       (R)-3-Hydroxy-1-[ 4-                                                                          +60° (ma)                                     chloride   (1-pyrrolidinyl)-2-                                                            butynyl]-2-pyrrolidinone                             42   23        Methylaminoethanol                                                                        (S)-3-[[(1,1-Dimethylethyl)di-                                                                ND                                                              methylsilyl]oxy]-1-[4-[(2-                                                                    (intermediate)                                                  hydroxyethyl)methylamino]-2-                                                   butynyl]-2-pyrrolidinone                             43   42        Methanolic hydrogen                                                                       (S)-3-Hydroxy-1-[4-                                                                           -38° (ma)                                     chloride   [(2-hydroxyethyl)                                                              methylamino]-2-butynyl]-2-                                                     pyrrolidinone                                        44   24        Methylamino butanol                                                                       (S)-3-[[(1,1-Dimethylethyl)di-                                                                ND                                                              methylsilyl]oxy]-1-[4-[(4-                                                                    (intermediate)                                                  hydroxybutyl)methylamino]-2-                                                   butynyl]-2-pyrrolidinone                             45   44        Methanolic hydrogen                                                                       (R)-3-Hydroxy-1-[4-                                                                           +33° (ma)                                     chloride   [(4-hydroxybutyl)methylamino]                        2-butynyl]-2-pyrrolidinone                                                     46   25        Imidazole  Racemic 1-[4-(1H-imidazol-1-                                                                  218 (M + H.sup.+)                                               yl)-2-butynyl]-3-methyl-2-                                                     pyrrolidinone                                        47   25        Azetidine  Racemic 1-[4-(1-                                                                              207 (M + H.sup.+)                                               azetidinyl)-2-butynyl]-3-                                                      methyl-2-pyrrolidinone                               48   25        (S)-3[[(1,1-                                                                              [R-[(R*,R* and R*,S*)]]-                                                                      365 (M + H.sup.+)                                    Dimethyl-  1-[4-[2-[[[(1,1-dimethyl-                                           ethyl)di-  ethyl)dimethylsilyl]oxy]                                            methylsilyl]-                                                                             methyl]-1-pyrrolidinyl] -2-                                         oxy]methyl]-                                                                              butynyl]-3-methyl-2-pyrro-                                          1-pyrroli- lidinone                                                            dinone                                                          49   25        (S)-3-[[(1,1-                                                                             [R-(R*,R* and R*,S*)]-1-                                                                      -2° (mc)                                      dimethylethyl)-                                                                           [4-[3[[(1,1-dimethylethyl)-                                                                   351 (M + H.sup.+)                                    dimethylsilyl]-                                                                           dimethylsilyl]oxy]-1-pyrro-                                         1-pyrrolidine                                                                             lidinyl-2-butynyl]-3-methyl-2-                                      carboxylic acid                                                                           pyrrolidinone                                                       phenyl methyl                                                                  ester                                                           __________________________________________________________________________      ND = Not done                                                                  (mc) = Rotation done in methylene chloride                                     (ma) = Rotation done in methyl alcohol                                   

EXAMPLE 50 (S)-2-[[[(1,1-Dimethylethyl)dimethylsilyl]oxy]methyl]-1-pyrrolidinecarboxylic acid phenylmethyl ester

To a 0° C. solution of 25 g of (S)-2-pyrrolidinemethanol in 150 ml of diethyl ether is added 54.8 g of benzyl chloroformate. At mid point of addition, 49.4 ml of 5N sodium hydroxide is added, simultaneously, and the reaction stirred at 0° C. for 2 hours. Diethyl ether is added, the layers are separated and the aqueous layer reextracted with diethyl ether. The combined organic layers are dried, filtered and concentrated in vacuo. The residue is purified by chromatography (silica gel, 0-10% methyl alcohol/methylene chloride) to give 59.1 g of (S)-2-hydroxymethyl-1-pyrrolidine carboxylic acid phenylmethyl ester.

A solution 58.0 g of (S)-2-hydroxymethyl-1-pyrrolidine carboxylic acid phenylmethyl ester, 45.0 g of (1,1-dimethylethyl)dimethylsilylchloride, 69 ml of triethylamine, 1.50 g of 4-(dimethylamino)pyridine and 450 ml of methylene chloride is stirred at room temperature for 18 hours. The resulting solution is washed with water, 2N hydrochloric acid, saturated sodium bicarbonate and sodium chloride. The organic layer is dried and concentrated in vacuo. The residue, dissolved in methylene chloride, is filtered through a silica gel pad and concentrated in vacuo to give 76.5 g of the desired product as a colorless oil. [α]_(D) ²⁶° =-46° (methylene chloride).

EXAMPLE 51 (R)-2-[[[(1,1-Dimethylethyl)dimethylsilyl]oxy]methyl]-1-pyrrolidinecaboxylic acid phenylmethyl ester

The title compound is prepared by the procedure of Example 50 using 20.0 g of (R)-2-pyrrolidinemethanol, 44.0 g of benzyl chloroformate and 200 ml of diethyl ether to give 56.4 g of (R)-2-hydroxymethyl-1-pyrrolidine carboxylic acid phenyl methyl ester. Forty-five g of (R)-2-hydroxymethyl-1-pyrrolidine carboxylic acid phenylmethyl ester is reacted with 38.4 g of (1,1-dimethylethyl)dimethylsilylchloride, 58 ml of triethylamine, 1.3 g of 4-(dimethylamino)pyridine and 450 ml of methylene chloride to give 41.5 g of the desired product as a colorless oil. [α]_(D) ²⁶° =+45° (methylene chloride).

EXAMPLE 52 (S)-3-(Acetoxy)-1-(2-propynyl)-2-pyrrolidinone

A solution of 4.3 g of (S)-3-hydroxy-1-(2-propynyl)-2-pyrrolidinone, 10.6 ml of acetic anhydride, 0.6 ml of pyridine, 0.1 g of 4-(dimethylamino)pyridine and 85 ml of methylene chloride is stirred at room temperature for 18 hours. Twenty-five ml of methyl alcohol is added and the reaction stirred for 20 minutes. The mixture is washed with 1N hydrochloric acid and saturated sodium bicarbonate. The organic layer is dried, passed thorough a pad of hydrous magnesium silicate and concentrated in vacuo to give 4.9 g of the desired product as a pale yellow oil. [α]_(D) ²⁶° =+60° (methylene chloride).

EXAMPLE 53 (R)-3-(Acetoxy)-1-(2-propynyl)-2-pyrrolidinone

The title compound is prepared by the procedure of Example 52 using 19.6 g of (R)-3-hydroxy-1-(2-propynyl)-2-pyrrolidinone, 26.6 ml of acetic anhydride, 17 ml of pyridine, 0.6 g of 4-(dimethylamino)pyridine and 200 ml of methylene chloride to give 23.4 g of the desired product as a pale yellow oil. [α]_(D) ²⁶° =+59° (methylene chloride).

EXAMPLE 54 [R-(R*,S*)]-3-(Acetoxy)-1-[4-[2-[[[(1,1-dimethylethyl)dimethylsilyl]oxy]methyl]-1-pyrrolidinyl]-2-butynyl]-2-pyrrolidinone

A mixture of 7.3 g of (S)-3[[(1,1-dimethylethyl)dimethylsilyl]oxy]methyl]-1-pyrrolidine carboxylic acid phenylmethyl ester, 0.40 g of 10% palladium on carbon and 225 ml of ethyl alcohol is hydrogenated in a Parr apparatus at room temperature under atmospheric pressure. The catalyst is removed by filtration, the filtrate is diluted with 100 ml of toluene and concentrated in vacuo. The residue is treated with 2.4 g of product from Example 53, 0.65 g of paraformaldehyde, 0.38 g of cuprous chloride, 1.8 ml of acetic acid and 75 ml of dioxane. The resulting mixture is heated at reflux temperature for 45 minutes, cooled, made basic with ammonium hydroxide and extracted with methylene chloride. The organic layer is washed with water, dried and concentrated in vacuo. The residue is purified by chromatography (alumina, activity grade 2.5, 1% methyl alcohol/methylene chloride) to give 3.6 g of the desired product as an orange/red oil. [α]_(D) ²⁶° =-4° (methyl alcohol).

Following the general procedure for Example 54, the products of Examples 55-61, found in Table VII, are prepared.

                                      TABLE VII                                    __________________________________________________________________________          Starting                      [alpha].sub.D.sup.26°                Example                                                                             Material #                                                                           Reactant                                                                               Product         (methyl alcohol)                            __________________________________________________________________________     55   52    50      [S-(R*,R*)]-3-(Acetyloxy)-1-                                                                   -56°                                                    [4-[2-[[[(1,1-dimethylethyl)-                                                  dimethylsilyl]oxy]methyl]-                                                     1-pyrrolidinyl]-2-butynyl]-2-                                                  pyrrolidinone                                               56   52    51      [S-(R*,S*)]-3-(Acetyloxy)-1-                                                                    -4°                                                    [4-[2-[[[(1,1-dimethylethyl)                                                   dimethylsilyl]oxy]methyl]-                                                     1-pyrrolidinyl]-2-butynyl]-2-                                                  pyrrolidinone                                               57   53    51      [R-(R*,R*)]-3-Acetyloxy)-1-                                                                    +53°                                                    [4-[2-[[[(1,1-dimethylethyl)-                                                  dimethylsilyl]oxy]methyl]-                                                     1-pyrrolidinyl]-2-butynyl]-2-                                                  pyrrolidinone                                               58   52    2-      (S)-3-(Acetyloxy)-1-[4-[2-                                                                     -45°                                            (Methylamino)                                                                          (hydroxyethyl)methylamino]-2-                                          ethanol butynyl]-2-pyrrolidinone                                    59   53    2-      (R)-3-(Acetyloxy)-1-[4-[2-                                                                     +45°                                            (Methylamino)                                                                          (hydroxyethyl)methylamino]-2-                                          ethanol butynyl]-2-pyrrolidinone                                    60   52    2-      (S)-3-(Acetyloxy)-1-[4-                                                                        -43°                                            (Methylamino)                                                                          [(4-hydroxybutyl)methyl-                                               butanol amino]-2-butynyl]-2-pyrrolidinone                           61   53    2-      (R)-3-(Acetyloxy)-1-[4-                                                                        +43°                                            (Methylamino)                                                                          [(4-hydroxybutyl)methyl-                                               butanol amino]-2-butynyl]-2-pyrrolidinone                           __________________________________________________________________________

EXAMPLE 62 [R-(R*,S*)]-1-[4-[2-[[[(1,1-dimethylethyl)-dimethylsilyl]oxy]methyl]-1-pyrrolidinyl]-2-butynyl]-3-hydroxy-2-pyrrolidone

A solution of 0.90 g of product from Example 54, 1.4 g of potassium carbonate and 25 ml of methyl alcohol is stirred at room temperature for 4 hours. The solution is passed through a pad of diatomaceous earth and the filtrate concentrated in vacuo. The residue is purified by chromatography (alumina, activity grade 2.5, 10% methyl alcohol/methylene chloride) to give 0.42 g of the desired product as a red/orange oil. [α]_(D) ²⁶° =-15° (methyl alcohol).

Following the general procedure of Example 62, the products of Examples 63-69, found in Table VIII, are prepared.

                                      TABLE VIII                                   __________________________________________________________________________          Starting                    [alpha].sub.D.sup.26°                  Example                                                                             Material #                                                                           Reactant                                                                             Product         (methyl alcohol)                              __________________________________________________________________________     63   55    Potassium                                                                            [S-(R*,R*)]-1-[4-[2-[[[(1,1-                                                                   -59°                                              carbonate                                                                            Dimethylethyl)dimethylsilyl]-                                                  oxy]methyl]-1-pyrrolidinyl]-                                                   2-butynyl]-3-hydroxy-2-                                                        pyrrolidinone                                                 64   56    Potassium                                                                            [S-(R*,S*)]-1-[4-[2-[[[(1,1-                                                                    +7°                                              carbonate                                                                            Dimethylethyl)dimethylsilyl]-                                                  oxy]methyl]-1-pyrrolidinyl]-                                                   2-butynyl]-3-hydroxy-2-                                                        pyrrolidinone                                                 65   57    Potassium                                                                            [R-(R*,R*)]-1-[4-[2-[[[(1,1-                                                                   +46°                                              carbonate                                                                            Dimethylethyl)dimethylsilyl]-                                                  oxy]methyl]-1-pyrrolidinyl]-                                                   2-butynyl]-3-hydroxy-2-                                                        pyrrolidinone                                                 66.sup.a                                                                            58    Potassium                                                                            (S)-3-Hydroxy-1-[4-[(2-hydroxy-                                                                -38°                                              carbonate                                                                            ethyl)methylamino]-2-butynyl]-2-                                               pyrrolidinone                                                 67   59    Potassium                                                                            (R)-3-Hydroxy-1-[4-[(2-hydroxy-                                                                +36°                                              carbonate                                                                            ethyl)methylamino]-2-butynyl]-2-                                               pyrrolidinone                                                 68   60    Potassium                                                                            (S)-3-Hydroxy-1-[4-[(4-                                                                        -35°                                              carbonate                                                                            hydroxybutyl)methylamino]-2-                                                   butynyl]-2-pyrrolidinone                                      69.sup.b                                                                            61    Potassium                                                                            (R)-3-Hydroxy-1-[4-[(4-                                                                        +33°                                              carbonate                                                                            hydroxybutyl)methylamino]-2-                                                   butynyl]-2-pyrrolidinone                                      __________________________________________________________________________      .sup.a Same product as Example 43.                                             .sup.b Same product as Example 45.                                       

EXAMPLE 70 [S-(R*,S*)]-3-Hydroxy-1-[4-[2-(hydroxymethyl)-1-pyrrolidinyl]-2-butynyl]-2-pyrrolidinone

A solution of 1.62 g of product from Example 64, 35 ml of methyl alcohol and 2.1 ml of concentrated hydrochloric acid is stirred at room temperature for 4 hours. The solution is concentrated in vacuo and the residue is partitioned between 10N sodium hydroxide and methylene chloride. The organic layer is dried and concentrated in vacuo. The residue is purified by pad filtration (alumina, 10% methyl alcohol/methylene chloride) to give 0.910 g of the desired product as a viscous yellow oil. [α]_(D) ²⁶° =+2° (methyl alcohol).

Following the general procedure of Example 70, the products of Examples 71 & 72, found in Table IX, are prepared.

                                      TABLE IX                                     __________________________________________________________________________          Starting                                                                  Example                                                                             Material #                                                                           Reactant                                                                              Product      [alpha].sub.D.sup.26°                    __________________________________________________________________________     71   63    Hydrochloric                                                                          [S-(R*,R*)]-3-Hydroxy-1-                                                                    -73°                                                acid   [4-[2-(hydroxymethyl)-1-                                                                    (methyl alcohol)                                                  pyrrolidinyl]-2-butynyl]-2-                                                    pyrrolidinone                                                72   62    Hydrochloric                                                                          [R-(R*,S*)]-3-Hydroxy-1-                                                                    ND                                                         acid   [4-[2-(hydroxymethyl)-1-                                                       pyrrolidinyl]-2-butynyl]-2-                                                    pyrrolidinone                                                __________________________________________________________________________      ND = Not done                                                            

EXAMPLE 73 (S)-3-(Methylthio)-1-[4-(1-pyrrolidinyl)-2butynyl]-2-pyrrolidinone

A solution of 1.2 g of (S)-3-thio-1-[4-(1-pyrrolidinyl)-2-butynyl]-2-pyrrolidinone in 100 ml of methylene chloride is added to a stirred suspension of 31 g of activated silica gel in 100 ml of methylene chloride. The mixture is stirred for 15 minutes to ensure absorption of the thiol on the silica gel. Two hundred and twenty ml of 0.4M diethyl ether solution of diazomethane is added in portions over 30 minutes. The solution is filtered and the silica gel washed thoroughly with methyl alcohol. The filtrate is concentrated in vacuo and the residue purified by chromatography (alumina, activity grade 2.5, 1% methyl alcohol/methylene chloride) to give 0.275 g of the desired product as a red/orange oil. [α]_(D) ²⁶° =-49° (methyl alcohol).

Following the general procedure of Example 73, the products of Examples 74-77, found in Table X, are prepared.

                                      TABLE X                                      __________________________________________________________________________          Starting                      [alpha].sub.D.sup.26°                Example                                                                             Material #                                                                             Reactant                                                                               Product       (methyl alcohol)                            __________________________________________________________________________     74   (R)-3-Thio-1-                                                                          Diazomethane                                                                           (R)-3-(Methylthio)-1-[4-(1-                                                                  +40°                                      [4-(1-          pyrrolidinyl)-2-butynyl]-2-                                    pyrrolidinyl)   pyrrolidinone                                             2-butynyl-2-                                                                        pyrrolidinone                                                             75   (S)-3-Thio-1-                                                                          Diazomethane                                                                           (S)-1-[4-(Dimethylamino)-                                                                    -53°                                      [4-(1-dimethyl- 2-butynyl]-3-(methylthio)-                                     amino)-2-       2-pyrrolidinone                                                butynyl]-2-                                                                    pyrrolidinone                                                             76   (R)-3-Thio-1-                                                                          Diazomethane                                                                           (R)-1-[4-(Dimethylamino)-                                                                    +45°                                      [4-(1-dimethyl- 2-butynyl]-3-(methylthio)-                                     amino)-2-       2-pyrrolidinone                                                butynyl]-2-                                                                    pyrrolidinone                                                             77   75      Methyl  (S)-- .sub.-- N, .sub.-- N, .sub.-- N-Trimethyl-4-[3-                                        +31°                                              iodide  (methylthio)-2-oxo-1-                                                          pyrrolidinyl]-2-butyn-1-                                                       aminium iodide                                            __________________________________________________________________________

EXAMPLE 78 (S)-3-Azido-1-[4-(1-pyrrolidinyl)-2-butynyl]-2-pyrrolidinone

A solution of 0.75 ml of methanesulfonyl chloride in 5 ml of methylene chloride is added, dropwise, to a 0° C. solution of 1.0 g of product from Example 46, 1.5 ml of triethylamine and 25 ml of methylene chloride. The mixture is stirred at 0° C. for 11/2 hours. The reaction is diluted with methylene chloride and saturated sodium carbonate. The organic layer is washed with saturated sodium chloride, dried, diluted with toluene and concentrated in vacuo. The resulting 1.2 g of the methanesulfonate is used without further purification.

A solution of 1.2 g of the methanesulfonate, 1.4 g of sodium azide and 25 ml of methyl alcohol is stirred at room temperature for 18 hours; followed by heating at reflux temperature for 1.5 hours. The reaction is cooled, diluted with diethyl ether and filtered through a pad of diatomaceous earth. The filtrate is concentrated in vacuo and the residue partitioned between water and methylene chloride. The organic layer is dried, concentrated in vacuo, and the residue is purified by chromatography (alumina, activity grade 2.5, 1% methyl alcohol/methylene chloride) to give 0.88 g of the desired product as a pale yellow oil. [α_(D) ²⁶° =-175°

EXAMPLE 79 (S)-3-Amino-1-[4-(1-pyrrolidinyl)-2-butynyl]-2-pyrrolidinone dihydrochloride

A mixture of 0.70 g of product from Example 78, 9.5 g of zinc dust and 10 ml of acetic acid is stirred at room temperature for 1.5 hours. The reaction is filtered, the zinc is washed with methylene chloride and the filtrate concentrated in vacuo. The residue is partitioned between methylene chloride and 6 ml of ammonium hydroxide. The organic layer is dried and concentrated in vacuo. The residue is dissolved in 1N methanolic hydrogen chloride and diluted with diethyl ether. The resulting precipitate is collected and recrystallized from ethyl alcohol/diethyl ether to give 0.24 g of the desired product as colorless crystals.

MP 224°-226° C. [α]_(D) ²⁶° =-29° (methyl alcohol).

Following the general procedure of Example 79, the products of Examples 80-87, found in Table XI, are prepared.

                                      TABLE XI                                     __________________________________________________________________________          Starting                     MP°C. or [alpha].sub.D.sup.26.deg                                       ree.                                         Example                                                                             Material #                                                                               Reactant                                                                             Product      (methyl alcohol)                             __________________________________________________________________________     80   (R)-3-Hydroxy-1-                                                                         Sodium                                                                               (R)-3-Azido-1-[4-(1-                                                                        +190°                                      [4-(1-pyrrolidinyl)-                                                                     azide pyrrolidinyl)-                                                 2-butynyl]-2-   2-butynyl]-2-                                                  pyrrolidinone   pyrrolidinone                                             81   (S)-3-Hydroxy-1-                                                                         Sodium                                                                               (S)-3-Azido-1-[4-                                                                           -188°                                      [4-(1-dimethyl-                                                                          azide (dimethylamino)-2-                                             amino)-2-butynyl]-                                                                             butynyl]-2-pyrro-                                              2-pyrrolidinone lidinone                                                  82   (R)-3-Hydroxy-1-                                                                         Sodium                                                                               (R)-3-Azido-1-[4-                                                                           +185°                                      [4-(1-dimethyl-                                                                          azide (dimethylamino)-2-                                             amino)-2-butynyl]-                                                                             butynyl]-2-pyrro-                                              2-pyrrolidinone lidinone                                                  83   81        Methyl                                                                               (S)-4-(3-Azido-2-oxo-                                                                       -122°                                                iodide                                                                               1-pyrrolidinyl)- .sub.-- N, .sub.-- N,                                          .sub.-- N-trimethyl-2-butyn-1-                                                aminium iodide                                            84   82        Methyl                                                                               (R)-4-(3-Azido-2-oxo-                                                                       +103°                                                iodide                                                                               1-pyrrolidinyl)- .sub.-- N, .sub.-- N,                                          .sub.-- N-trimethyl-2-butyn-1-                                                aminium iodide                                            85   80        Zinc/ (R)-3-Amino-1[4-(1-                                                                          -30°                                                acetic                                                                               pyrrolidinyl)-2-                                                         acid  butynyl]-2-pyrro-                                                              lidinone dihydro-                                                              chloride                                                  86   81        Zinc/ (S)-3-Amino-1-[4-                                                                            -33°                                                acetic                                                                               (dimethylamino)-2-                                                       acid  butynyl]-2-pyrro-                                                              lidinone dihydro-                                                              chloride                                                  87   82        Zinc/ (R)-3-Amino-1-[4-                                                                            +32°                                                acetic                                                                               (dimethylamino)-2-                                                       acid  butynyl]-2-pyrro-                                                              lidinone dihydro-                                                              chloride                                                  __________________________________________________________________________

EXAMPLE 88 (S)-2-Methylpropanoic acid 1-[4-(dimethylamino)-2-butynyl]-2-oxo-3-pyrrolidinyl ester

A solution of 0.84 g of isobutyryl chloride in 15 ml of methylene chloride is added, dropwise, to a 0° C. solution of 1.4 g of (S)-3-hydroxy-1-[4-(1-dimethylamino)-2-butynyl]-2-pyrrolidinone, 3 ml of triethylamine, 0.10 g of 4-(dimethylamino)pyridine and 25 ml methylene chloride. The mixture is stirred at room temperature for 18 hours. Two ml of methyl alcohol is added and the methylene chloride solution is washed with 1N hydrochloric acid and saturated sodium carbonate, dried and concentrated in vacuo. The residue is purified by chromatography (alumina, activity grade 2.5, 1% methyl alcohol/methylene chloride) to give 1.65 g of the desired product as a pale yellow oil. [α]_(D) ²⁶° =-44° (methylene chloride).

Following the general procedure of Example 88, the products of Examples 89-124, found in Table XII, are prepared.

                                      TABLE XII                                    __________________________________________________________________________          Starting                       MP°C. or [alpha].sub.D.sup.26.d                                         egree.                                     Example                                                                             Material #                                                                             Reactant                                                                              Product         (methyl alcohol)                           __________________________________________________________________________     89    37     2,2-Dimethyl-                                                                         (S)-2,2-Dimethylpropanoic                                                                      -39°                                             propanoyl                                                                             acid 1-[4-(dimethylamino)-                                              chloride                                                                              2-butynyl]-2-oxo-3-pyrro-                                                      lidinyl ester                                              90    37     Decanoyl                                                                              (S)-Decanoic acid 1-[4-                                                                        -36°                                             chloride                                                                              (dimethylamino)-2-butynyl]-                                                    2-oxo-3-pyrrolidinyl ester                                 91    37     Octyl  (S)-Carbonic acid 1-[4-                                                                        -40°                                             chloro-                                                                               (dimethylamino)-2-butynyl]-                                             formate                                                                               2-oxo-3-pyrrolidinyl octyl ester                           92    37     Methyl (S)-Carbonic acid 1-[4-                                                                        -60°                                             chloro-                                                                               (dimethylamino)-2-butynyl]-                                             formate                                                                               2-oxo-3-pyrrolidinyl methyl                                                    ester                                                      93    90     Methyl (S)-- .sub.-- N, .sub.-- N, .sub.-- N-Trimethyl-4-[2-o                         xo-             -28°                                             iodide 3-[1-oxodecyl)oxy]-1-pyrro-                                                    lidinyl-2-butyn-1-aminium                                                      iodide                                                     94    88     Methyl (S)-- .sub.-- N, .sub.-- N, .sub.-- N-Trimethyl-4-[3-                                          -35°                                             iodide (2-methyl-1-oxopropoxy)-                                                       2-oxo-1-pyrrolidinyl]-                                                         2-butyn-1-aminium iodide                                   95    89     Methyl (S)-4-[3-(2,2-Dimethyl-1-                                                                      -33°                                             iodide oxopropoxy)-2-oxo-1-pyrro-                                                     lidinyl]- .sub.-- N, .sub.-- N, .sub.-- N-trimethyl-                           2-butyn-1-aminium iodide                                   96    91     Methyl (S)-- .sub.-- N, .sub.-- N, .sub.-- N-Trimethyl-4-[3-                                          -33°                                             iodide [[(octyloxy)carbonyl]oxy]-                                                     2-oxo-1-pyrrolidinyl]-                                                         2-butyn-1-aminium iodide                                   97    40     Isobutyryl                                                                            (S)-2-Methylpropanoic acid                                                                     -42°                                             chloride                                                                              2-oxo-1-[4-(1-pyrrolidinyl)-                                                   2-butynyl]-3-pyrrolidinyl                                                      ester                                                      98    40     Pivaloyl                                                                              (S)-2,2-Dimethylpropanoic                                                                      -37°                                             chloride                                                                              acid 2-oxo-1-[4-(1-pyrro-                                                      lidinyl)-2-butynyl]-3-                                                         pyrrolidinyl ester                                         99    40     Methyl (S)-3-[[Methylamino)car-                                                                       -39°                                             isocyanate                                                                            bonyl]oxy]-1-[4-(1-pyrro-                                                      lidinyl)-2-butynyl]-2-                                                         pyrrolidinone                                              100   40     Dimethyl-                                                                             (S)-Dimethylcarbamic acid                                                                      -33°                                             carbamoyl                                                                             2-oxo-1-[4-(1-pyrrolidinyl)-                                            chloride                                                                              2-butynyl]-3-pyrrolidinyl                                                      ester                                                      101   40     Hexyl  (S)-Carbonic acid hexyl 2-                                                                     -43°                                             chloro-                                                                               oxo-1-[4-(1-pyrrolidinyl)-                                              formate                                                                               2-butynyl]-3-pyrrolidinyl                                                      ester                                                      102   40     t-Butyl                                                                               (S)-Carbonic acid 1,1-di-                                                                      -46°                                             chloro-                                                                               methylethyl-2-oxo-1-[4-                                                 formate                                                                               (1-pyrrolidinyl)-2-butynyl]-                                                   3-pyrrolidinyl ester                                       103   40     Methyl (S)-Carbonic acid methyl 2-                                                                    -56°                                             chloro-                                                                               oxo-1-[4-(1-pyrrolidinyl)-2-                                            formate                                                                               butynyl]-3-pyrrolidinyl ester                              104   36     Isobutyryl                                                                            (R)-Propanoic acid 2-                                                                          +44°                                             chloride                                                                              methyl-1-[4-(dimethyl-                                                         amino)-2-butynyl]-2-oxo-                                                       3-pyrrolidinyl ester                                       105   36     Pivaloyl                                                                              (R)-2,2-Dimethylpropanoic                                                                      +38°                                             chloride                                                                              acid 1-[4-(dimethylamino)-                                                     2-butynyl]-2-oxo-3-pyrro-                                                      lidinyl ester                                              106   36     Decanoyl                                                                              (R)-Decanoic acid 1-[4-                                                                        +35°                                             chloride                                                                              (dimethylamino)-2-butynyl]-                                                    2-oxo-3-pyrrolidinyl ester                                 107   36     Decanoyl                                                                              (R)-Octylcarbamic acid 1-[4-                                                                   +28°                                             chloride                                                                              (dimethylamino)-2-butynyl]-                                                    2-oxo-3-pyrrolidinyl ester                                 108   36     Methyl (R)-Carbonic acid 1-[4-                                                                        +61°                                             chloro-                                                                               (dimethylamino)-2-butynyl]-                                             formate                                                                               2-oxo-3-pyrrolidinyl methyl                                                    ester monohydrochloride                                    109   36     Octyl  (R)-Carbonic acid 1-[4-                                                                        +36°                                             chloro-                                                                               (dimethylamino)-2-butynyl]-                                             formate                                                                               2-oxo-3-pyrrolidinyl octyl                                                     ester                                                      110  104     Methyl (R)-- .sub.-- N, .sub.-- N, .sub.-- N-Trimethyl-4-[3-(                         2-              +35°                                             iodide methyl-1-oxopropoxy)-2-oxo-                                                                    MP 128-130°                                             1-pyrrolidinyl]-2-butyn-1                                                      aminium iodide                                             111  105     Methyl (R)-4-[3-(2,2-Dimethyl-1-                                                                      +32°                                             iodide oxoporpoxy)-2-oxo-1-pyrro-                                                                     MP 160-162°                                             lidinyl]- .sub.-- N,  .sub.-- N, .sub.-- N-trimethyl-                          2-butyn-1-aminium iodide                                   112  106     Methyl (R)-4-[2-Oxo-3-[(1-oxodecyl)-                                                                  +28°                                             iodide oxy]-1-pyrrolidinyl]- .sub.-- N, .sub.-- N, .sub.--                            N-              MP 103-105°                                             trimethyl-2-butyn-1-aminium                                                    iodide                                                     113  107     Methyl (R)-- .sub.-- N, .sub.-- N, .sub.-- N-Trimethyl-4-[3-                                          +34°                                             iodide [[(octylamino)carbonyl]oxy]-                                                   2-oxo-1-pyrrolidinyl]-2-butyn-                                                 1-aminium iodide                                           114  109     Methyl (R)-- .sub.-- N, .sub.-- N, .sub.-- N-Trimethyl-4-[3-                                          +34°                                             iodide [[(octyloxy)carbonyl]oxy]-                                                     2-oxo-1pyrrolidinyl]-2-                                                        butyn-1-aminium iodide                                     115   41     Isobutyryl                                                                            (R)-2-Methylpropanoic acid                                                                     +42°                                             chloride                                                                              2-oxo-1-[4-(1-pyrrolidinyl)-                                                   2-butynyl]-3-pyrrolidinyl                                                      ester                                                      116   41     Pivaloyl                                                                              (R)-2,2-Dimethylpropanoic                                                                      +37°                                             chloride                                                                              acid 2-oxo-1-[4-(1-pyrro-                                                      lidinyl)-2-butynyl]-3-                                                         pyrrolidinyl ester                                         117   41     Decanoyl                                                                              (R)-Decanoic acid 2-oxo-1-                                                                     +35°                                             chloride                                                                              [4-(1-pyrrolidinyl)-2-butynyl]-                                                3-pyrrolidinyl ester                                       118   41     Benzyl (R)-Carbonic acid 2-oxo-1-                                                                     +38°                                             chloro-                                                                               [4-(1-pyrrolidinyl)-2-                                                  formate                                                                               butynyl]-3-pyrrolidinyl                                                        phenylmethyl ester                                         119   41     Octyl  (R)-Octylcarbamic acid 2-                                                                      +28°                                             isocyanate                                                                            oxo-1-[4-(1-pyrrolidinyl)-                                                                     MP 47-49°                                               2-butynyl]-3-pyrrolidinyl                                                      ester                                                      120   41     Octyl  (R)-Carbonic acid octyl 2-                                                                     +39°                                             chloro-                                                                               oxo-1-[4-(1-pyrrolidinyl)-2-                                            formate                                                                               butynyl]-3-pyrrolidinyl ester                              121   41     Methyl (R)-Carbonic acid methyl 2-                                                                    +56°                                             chloro-                                                                               oxo-1-[4-(1-pyrrolidinyl)-2-                                            formate                                                                               butynyl]-3-pyrrolidinyl ester                              122  (S)-4-Hydroxy-                                                                         Decanoyl                                                                              (S)-Decanoic acid 2-oxo-1-[4-                                                                  -36°                                     1-[4-(1-                                                                               chloride                                                                              (1-pyrrolidinyl)-2-butynyl]-4-                                  pyrrolidinyl)- pyrrolidinyl ester                                              2-butynyl]-2-                                                                  pyrrolidinone                                                             123  (S)-4-Hydroxy-                                                                         Methyl (S)-Carbonic acid methyl                                                                        -5°                                     1-[4-(1-pyrro-                                                                         chloro-                                                                               2-oxo-1-[4-(1-pyrro-                                            lidinyl)-2-                                                                            form-  lidinyl)-2-butynyl]-4-pyrro-                                    butynyl]-2-                                                                            ate    lidinyl ester                                                   pyrrolidinone                                                             124  (S)-4-Hydroxy-                                                                         Octyl  (S)-Octylcarbamic acid                                                                          +6°                                     1-[4-(1-pyrro-                                                                         iso-   2-oxo-1-[4-(1-pyrrolidinyl)-                                    lidinyl)-2-                                                                            cyan-  2-butynyl]-4-pyrrolidinyl                                       butynyl-2-                                                                             ate    ester                                                           pyrrolidinone                                                             __________________________________________________________________________ 

We claim:
 1. A compound selected from those of the formula: ##STR12## wherein R₃ and R₄ are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, (C₁ -C₆)alkyl, hydroxy, amino, azido, (C₇ -C₁₀)acyloxy, (C₁ -C₁₀)alkoxycarbonyloxy, (C₁ -C₁₀)alkylaminocarbonyloxy, or (C₁ -C₁₀)dialkylaminocarbonyloxy with the proviso that when one of R₃ or R₄ is hydroxy, the other one is (C₁ -C₆)alkyl or when one of R₃ or R₄ is amino, azido, (C₇ -C₁₀)acyloxy, (C₁ -C₁₀)alkoxycarbonyloxy, (C₁ -C₁₀)alkylaminocarbonyloxy or (C₁ -C₁₀)dialkylaminocarbonyloxy then the other one is hydrogen; when R₃ or R₄ is (C₁ -C₆)alkyl and the other is hydrogen, then R₁ and R₂ can not be (C₁ -C₆)alkyl, or R₁ and R₂ taken together with the associated nitrogen may not be pyrrolidine, piperidine, aziridine or azetidine; R₅ and R₆ are independently selected from hydrogen, amino, azido, (C₇ - C₁₀)acyloxy, (C₁ -C₁₀)alkoxycarbonyloxy, (C₁ -C₁₀)alkylaminocarbonyloxy or (C₁ -C₁₀)dialkylaminocarbonyloxy with the proviso that when R₃ and R₄ are other than hydrogen, R₅ and R₆ are hydrogen; R₁ and R₂ are each (C₁ -C₆)alkyl or R₁ is (C₁ -C₆)alkyl and R₂ is --(CH₂)_(n) --R₁₇ where n=2-6 and R₁₇ is selected from the group consisting of hydroxy, (C₁ -C₁₀)acyloxy, trialkylsilyloxy or R₁ and R₂ taken together with their associated N(itrogen) is selected from the group consisting of aziridine, azetidine, pyrrolidine, piperidine, imidazole or moieties of the formula: ##STR13## where R₇ and R₈ are independently selected from the group consisting of (C₁ -C₁₀)acyloxy, (C₁ -C₆)alkoxy, aroyloxy, substituted aroyloxy, (C₁ -C₆)alkylthio, (C₁ -C₆)alkyldithio, (C₁ -C₆)acylthio, hydroxy, thio, trialkylsilyloxy or hydrogen; R₉ and R₁₀ are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, hydroxymethyl, halomethyl or trialkylsilyloxymethyl with the proviso that only one of R₇, R₈, R₉ and R₁₀ can be one of the above disclosed substituents other than hydrogen and with the proviso that when R₃, R₄, R₅ and R₆ are all hydrogen, R₇ or R₈ must be (C₇ -C₁₀)acyloxy.
 2. A compound selected from those of the formula: ##STR14## wherein one of R₃, R₄, R₅ and R₆ is selected from the group consisting of hydroxy, (C₁ -C₆)alkoxy, (C₁ -C₆)acyloxy, aroyloxy, substituted aroyloxy, thio, (C₁ -C₆)alkylthio, (C₁ -C₆)alkyldithio or (C₁ -C₆)acylthio and the remaining substituents are hydrogen; R₁ is (C₁ -C₆)alkyl and R₂ is --(CH₂)_(n) --R₁₇, where n=2-6 and R₁₇ is selected from the group consisting of hydroxy, (C₁ -C₁₀)acyloxy, trialkylsilyloxy or R₁ and R₂ taken together with their associated N(itrogen) are selected from imidazole or moieties of the formula: ##STR15## R₇ and R₈ are independently selected from hydrogen or (C₇ -C₁₀)acyloxy; R₉ and R₁₀ are independently selected from hydrogen, hydroxymethyl, halomethyl or trialkylsilyloxymethyl with the proviso that only one of R₇, R₈, R₉ and R₁₀ can be one of the above disclosed substituents other than hydrogen.
 3. A compound selected from those of the formula: ##STR16## wherein one of R₃ or R₄ is (C₁ -C₆)alkyl and the other one is hydrogen; R₅ and R₆ are hydrogen; R₁ is (C₁ -C₆)alkyl and R₂ is --(CH₂)_(n) --R₁₇, where n=2-6 and R₁₇ is selected from the group consisting of hydroxy, (C₁ -C₁₀)acyloxy, trialkylsilyloxy or R₁ and R₂ taken together with their associated N(itrogen) is selected from the group consisting of imidazole or moieties of the formula: ##STR17## where R₇ and R₈ are independently selected from the group consisting of (C₁ -C₁₀)acyloxy, (C₁ -C₆)alkoxy, aroyloxy, substituted aroyloxy, (C₁ -C₆)alkylthio, (C₁ -C₆)alkyldithio, (C₁ -C₆)acylthio, hydroxy, thio, trialkylsilyloxy or hydrogen; R₉ and R₁₀ are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, hydroxymethyl, halomethyl or trialkylsilyloxymethyl with the proviso that only one of R₇, R₈, R₉ and R₁₀ can be one of the above disclosed substituents other than hydrogen.
 4. A compound selected from those of the formula: ##STR18## wherein one of R₃ or R₄ is hydroxy other is (C₁ -C₆)alkyl; R₅ and R₆ are hydrogen; R₁ and R₂ are each (C₁ -C₆)alkyl or R₁ is (C₁ -C₆)alkyl and R₂ is --(CH₂)_(n) --R₁₇, where n=2-6, and R₁₇ is selected from the group consisting of hydroxy, (C₁ -C₁₀)acyloxy, trialkylsilyloxy or R₁ and R₂ taken together with their associated N(itrogen) is selected from the group consisting of aziridine, azetidine, pyrrolidine, piperidine, imidazole or moieties of the formula: ##STR19## where R₇ and R₈ are independently selected from the group consisting of (C₁ -C₁₀)acyloxy, (C₁ -C₆)alkoxy, aroyloxy, substituted aroyloxy, (C₁ -C₆)alkylthio, (C₁ -C₆)alkyldithio, (C₁ -C₆)acylthio, hydroxy, thio, trialkylsilyloxy or hydrogen; R₉ and R₁₀ are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, hydroxymethyl, halomethyl or trialkylsilyloxymethyl with the proviso that only one of R₇, R₈, R₉ and R₁₀ can be one of the above disclosed substituents other than hydrogen.
 5. A compound selected from those of the formula: ##STR20## wherein one of R₃, R₄, R₅ and R₆ is amino or azido and the remaining substituents are hydrogen; R₁ and R₂ are each (C₁ -C₆)alkyl or R₁ is (C₁ -C₆)alkyl and R₂ is --(CH₂)_(n) --R₁₇, where n=2-6, and R₁₇ is selected from the group consisting of hydroxy, (C₁ -C₁₀)acyloxy, trialkylsilyloxy or R₁ and R₂ taken together with their associated N(itrogen) is selected from the group consisting of aziridine, azetidine, pyrrolidine, piperidine, imidazole or moieties of the formula: ##STR21## where R₇ and R₈ are independently selected from the group consisting of (C₁ -C₁₀)acyloxy, (C₁ -C₆)alkoxy, aroyloxy, substituted aroyloxy, (C₁ -C₆)alkylthio, (C₁ -C₆)alkyldithio, (C₁ -C₆)acylthio, hydroxy, thio, trialkylsilyloxy or hydrogen; R₉ and R₁₀ are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, hydroxymethyl, halomethyl or trialkylsilyloxymethyl with the proviso that only one of R₇, R₈, R₉ and R₁₀ can be one of the above disclosed substituents other than hydrogen.
 6. A compound selected from those of the formula: ##STR22## wherein one of R₃, R₄, R₅ and R₆ is selected from (C₇ -C₁₀)acyloxy, (C₁ -C₁₀)alkoxycarbonyloxy, (C₁ -C₁₀)alkylaminocarbonyloxy or (C₁ -C₁₀)dialkylaminocarbonyloxy and the remaining substituents are hydrogen; R₁ and R₂ are each (C₁ -C₆)alkyl or R₁ is (C₁ -C₆)alkyl and R₂ is --(CH₂)_(n) --R₁₇, where n=2-6, and R₁₇ is selected from the group consisting of hydroxy, (C₁ -C₁₀)acyloxy, trialkylsilyloxy or R₁ and R₂ taken together with their associated N(itrogen) is selected from the group consisting of aziridine, azetidine, pyrrolidine, piperidine, imidazole or moieties of the formula: ##STR23## where R₇ and R₈ are independently selected from the group consisting of (C₁ -C₁₀)acyloxy, (C₁ -C₆)alkoxy, aroyloxy, substituted aroyloxy, (C₁ -C₆)alkylthio, (C₁ -C₆)alkyldithio, (C₁ -C₆)acylthio, hydroxy, thio, trialkylsilyloxy or hydrogen; R₉ and R₁₀ are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, hydroxymethyl, halomethyl or trialkylsilyloxymethyl with the proviso that only one of R₇, R₈, R₉ and R₁₀ can be one of the above disclosed substituents other than hydrogen.
 7. A compound selected from those of the formula: ##STR24## wherein one of R₃, R₄, R₅ and R₆ is selected from the group consisting of hydroxy, (C₁ -C₆)alkoxy, (C₁ -C₆)acyloxy, trialkylsilyloxy, aroyloxy, a substituted aroyloxy and the remaining substituents are hydrogen; R₁ is (C₁ -C₆)alkyl and R₂ is --(CH₂)_(n) --R₁₇, where n=2-6 and R₁₇ is selected from the group consisting of hydroxy, (C₁ -C₁₀)acyloxy, trialkylsilyloxy or R₁ and R₂ taken together with their associated N(itrogen) is selected from imidazole or moieties of the formula: ##STR25## wherein R₇ and R₈ are independently selected from hydrogen and (C₇ -C₁₀)acyloxy; R₉ and R₁₀ are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, hydroxymethyl, halomethyl or trialkylsilyloxymethyl with the proviso that only one of R₇, R₈, R₉ and R₁₀ can be one of the above disclosed substituents other than hydrogen.
 8. A compound selected from those of the formula: ##STR26## wherein one of R₃, R₄, R₅ and R₆ is selected from the group consisting of thio, (C₁ -C₆)alkylthio, (C₁ -C₆)alkyldithio or (C₁ -C₆)acylthio and the remaining substituents are hydrogen; R₁ is (C₁ -C₆)alkyl and R₂ is --(CH₂)_(n) --R₁₇, where n=2-6, and R₁₇ is selected from the group consisting of hydroxy, (C₁ -C₁₀)acyloxy, trialkylsilyloxy or R₁ and R₂ taken together with their associated N(itrogen) is selected from imidazole or moieties of the formula: ##STR27## where R₇ and R₈ are independently selected from hydrogen or (C₇ -C₁₀)acyloxy; R₉ and R₁₀ are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, hydroxymethyl, halomethyl or trialkylsilyloxymethyl with the proviso that only one of R₉ and R₁₀ can be one of the above disclosed substituents other than hydrogen.
 9. A compound according to claim 6, (S)-decanoic acid 1-[4-(dimethylamino)-2-butynyl]-2-oxo-3-pyrrolidinyl ester.
 10. A compound according to claim 6, (S)-carbonic acid 1-[4-(dimethylamino)-2-butynyl]-2-oxo-3-pyrrolidinyl octyl ester.
 11. A compound according to claim 6, (S)-carbonic acid 1-[4-(dimethylamino)-2-butynyl]-2-oxo-3-pyrrolidinyl methyl ester.
 12. A compound according to claim 6, (s)-N,N,N-trimethyl-4-[2-oxo-3-[(1-oxodecyl)oxy]-1-pyrrolidinyl]-2-butyn-1-aminium iodide.
 13. A compound according to claim 6, (S)-N,N,N-trimethyl-4-[3-[[(octyloxy)carbonyl]oxy]-2-oxo-1-pyrrolidinyl]-2-butyn-1-aminium iodide.
 14. A compound according to claim 6, (S)-3-[[(methylamino)carbonyl]oxy]-1-[4-(1-pyrrolidinyl)2-butynyl]-2-pyrrolidinone.
 15. A compound according to claim 6, (S)-dimethylcarbamic acid 2-oxo-1-[4-(1-pyrrolidinyl)-2-butynyl]-3-pyrrolidinyl ester.
 16. A compound according to claim 6, (S)-carbonic acid hexyl 2-oxo-1-[4-(1-pyrrolidinyl)-2butynyl]-3-pyrrolidinyl ester.
 17. A compound according to claim 6, (S)-carbonic acid 1,1-dimethylethyl-2-oxo-1-[4-(1-pyrrolidinyl)-2-butynyl]-3-pyrrolidinyl ester.
 18. A compound according to claim 6, (S)-carbonic acid methyl 2-oxo-1-[4-(1-pyrrolidinyl)-2-butynyl]-3-pyrrolidinyl ester.
 19. A compound according to claim 6, (R)-decanoic acid 1-[4-(dimethylamino)-2-butynyl]-2-oxo-3-pyrrolidinyl ester.
 20. A compound according to claim 6, (R)-octylcarbamic acid 1-[4-(dimethylamino)-2butynyl]-2-oxo-3-pyrrolidinyl ester.
 21. A compound according to claim 6, (S)-carbonic acid 1-[4-(dimethylamino)-2-butynyl]-2-oxo-3-pyrrolidinyl methyl ester monohydrochloride.
 22. A compound according to claim 6, (R)-carbonic acid 1-[4-(dimethylamino)-2-butynyl]-2-oxo-3-pyrrolidinyl octyl ester.
 23. A compound according to claim 6, (R)-4-[2-oxo-3-[(1-oxodecyl)oxy]-1-pyrrolidinyl]-N,N,N-trimethyl-2-butyn-1-aminium iodide.
 24. A compound according to claim 6, (R)-N,N,N-trimethyl-4-[3-[[(octylamino)carbonyl]oxy]-2-oxo-1-pyrrolidinyl]-2-butyn-1-aminium iodide.
 25. A compound according to claim 6, (R)-N,N,N-trimethyl-4-[3-[[(octyloxy)carbonyl]oxy]-2-oxo-1-pyrrolidinyl]-2-butyn-1-aminium iodide.
 26. A compound according to claim 6, (S)-decanoic acid 2-oxo-1-[4-(1-pyrrolidinyl)-2butynyl]-4-pyrrolidinyl ester.
 27. A compound according to claim 6, (S)-carbonic acid methyl 2-oxo-1-[4-(1-pyrrolidinyl)-2-butynyl]-4-pyrrolidinyl ester.
 28. A compound according to claim 6, (S)-octylcarbamic acid 2-oxo-1-[4-(1-pyrrolidinyl)-2butynyl]-4-pyrrolidinyl ester.
 29. A compound according to claim 3, [R-[(R*,R* and R*,S*)]]-1-[4-[2-[[[(1,1-dimethylethyl)dimethylsilyl]oxy]-methyl]-1-pyrrolidinyl]-2-butynyl]-3-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone.
 30. A compound according to claim 3, [R-(R*,R* and R*,S*)]-1-[4-[3-[[(1,1-dimethylethyl)dimethylsilyl]oxy]-1-pyrrolidinyl]-2-butynyl]-3-methyl-2pyrrolidinone.
 31. A compound according to claim 7, (S)-3-[[(1,1-dimethylethyl)dimethylsilyl]oxy]-1-[4-(1H-imidazol-1-yl)-2-butynyl]-2-pyrrolidione.
 32. A compound according to claim 7, (R)-3-[[(1,1-dimethylethyl)dimethylsilyl]oxy]-1-[4-(1H-imidazol-1-yl)-2-butynyl]-2-pyrrolidione.
 33. A compound according to claim 5, (S)-3-azido-1-[4-(1-pyrrolidinyl)-2-butynyl]-2-pyrrolidinone.
 34. A compound according to claim 5, (S)-3-amino-1-[4-(1-pyrrolidinyl)-2-butynyl]-2-pyrrolidinone dihydrochloride.
 35. A compound according to claim 5, (R)-3-azido-1-[4-(1-pyrrolidinyl)-2-butynyl]-2-pyrrolidinone.
 36. A compound according to claim 5, (R)-3-amino-1-[4-(1-pyrrolidinyl)-2-butynyl]-2-pyrrolidinone dihydrochloride.
 37. A compound according to claim 5, (S)-3-azido-1-[4-(dimethylamino)-2-butynyl]-2-pyrrolidinone.
 38. A compound according to claim 5, (R)-3-azido-1-[4-(dimethylamino)-2-butynyl]-2-pyrrolidinone.
 39. A compound according to claim 5, (S)-4-(3-azido-2-oxo-1-pyrrolidinyl)-N,N,N-trimethyl-2-butyn-1-aminium iodide.
 40. A compound according to claim 5, (R)-4-(3-azido-2-oxo-1-pyrrolidinyl)-N,N,N-trimethyl-2-butyn-1-aminium iodide.
 41. A compound according to claim 5, (S)-3-amino-1-[4-(dimethylamino)-2-butynyl]-2-pyrrolidinone dihydrochloride.
 42. A compound according to claim 5, (R)-3-amino-1-[4-(dimethylamino)-2-butynyl]-2-pyrrolidinone dihydrochloride.
 43. A compound according to claim 4, racemic 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-1-[4-(1-pyrrolidinyl)-2butynyl]-2-pyrrolidinone.
 44. A compound according to claim 3, racemic 1-[4-(1H-imidazol-1-yl)-2-butynyl]-3-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone.
 45. A compound according to claim 7, (S)-3-hydroxy-1-[4(1H-imidazol-1-yl)-2-butynyl]-2-pyrrolidinone.
 46. A compound according go claim 7, 1-[4-(1H-imidazol-1-yl)-2-butynyl]-3-hydroxy-2-pyrrolidinone.
 47. A compound according to claim 7, (R)-3-hydroxy-1-[4-[(4-hydroxybutyl)methylamino]-2butynyl]-2-pyrrolidinone
 48. A compound according to claim 7, (S)-3-hydroxy-1-[4-[(2-hydroxyethyl)methylamino]-2-butynyl-2-pyrrolidinone.
 49. A compound according to claim 7, (R)-3-hydroxy-1-[4-[(2-hydroxyethyl)methylamino]-2-butynyl-2-pyrrolidinone.
 50. A compound according to claim 7, (S)-3-hydroxy-1-[4-[(4-hydroxybutyl)methylamino]-2-butynyl-2-pyrrolidinone.
 51. A compound according to claim 7, [S-(R*,S*)]-3-hydroxy-1-[4-[2-(hydroxymethyl)-1-pyrrolidinyl]-2-butynyl]-2-pyrrolidinone.
 52. A compound according to claim 7, [S-(R*,R*)]-3-hydroxy-1-[4-[2-(hydroxymethyl)-1-pyrrolidinyl]-2-butynyl]-2-pyrrolidinone.
 53. A compound according to claim 7, [R-(R*,S*)]-3-hydroxy-1-[4-[2-(hydroxymethyl)-1-pyrrolidinyl]-2-butynyl]-2-pyrrolidinone.
 54. A compound according to claim 6, (R)-decanoic acid 2-oxo-1-[4-(1-pyrrolidinyl)-2butynyl]-3-pyrrolidinyl ester.
 55. A compound according to claim 6, (R)-carbonic acid 2-oxo-1-[4-(1-pyrrolidinyl)-2butynyl]-3-pyrrolidinyl phenylmethyl ester.
 56. A compound according to claim 6, (R)-octylcarbamic acid 2-oxo-1-[4-(1-pyrrolidinyl)-2-butynyl-3-pyrrolidinyl ester.
 57. A compound according to claim 6, (R)-carbonic acid methyl 2-oxo-1-[4-(1-pyrrolidinyl)-2-butynyl]-3-pyrrolidinyl ester.
 58. A method of treating central cholinergic disfunction in a mammal which comprises administering to said mammal an effective amount of a compound selected from that of claim
 1. 59. A pharmaceutical composition of matter in dosage unit form comprising from about 1 to about 500 mg of a compound selected from that of claim 1, in association with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. 